'&///<// 


STshop  PaV!ei*'s 

D?a)*y  of  the  st eSe 

May  -AlJSUst -1900 


Aiai-Tt^r  A Company? 

pubTfsh^S*  Boston?  U-S-A- 


Digitized  by  the  Internet  Archive 
in  2016 


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Rt.  Rev.  A.  Favier,  Bishop  of  Pekin 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN 


BISHOP  A.  FAVIER’S 
DIARY  OF  THE  SIE.GE 
MAY-AUGUST,  i 900 


EDITED  BY 

REV.  J.  FRERI,  D.C.  L. 

Assistant  General  Director  of  the  Association  for 
the  Propagation  of  the  Faith 


* 


BOSTON 

MARLIER  & COMPANY,  Limited 

1901 


irmpdmatuc 

* JOANNES  JOSEPHUS 

Archiep.  Bostoniensis 


Copyright,  1901 
By  Rev.  Jos.  Freri 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


A CATHOLIC  BISHOP'S  DIARY  OF  THE  SIEGE. 
MAY -AUGUST,  1900. 


PART  FIRST. 


The  Chinese  Missions. 

By  way  of  introduction  to  the  following  pages,  it 
may  not  be  out  of  place  to  present  a few  general 
statistics  of  the  Catholic  Chinese  Missions. 

There  are  at  present  some  ten  Catholic  Missionary 
societies  engaged  in  the  propagation  of  the  faith  in 
China.  Among  these  may  be  mentioned  the  Society 
of  the  Foreign  Missions  of  Paris,  the  Franciscans, 
the  Dominicans,  the  Jesuits,  the  Lazarists,  the  So- 
ciety of  the  Foreign  Missions  of  Milan,  the  Society 
of  Mary  Immaculate,  the  Little  Brothers  of  Mary, 
the  Sisters  of  Charity,  etc.  A few  years  ago  the 
Trappists  founded  a monastery  near  Pekin,  where 
their  laborious  and  pure  lives  are  in  striking  con- 
trast with  the  laziness  and  dissolute  conduct  of  the 
Bonzes. 


2 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


The  total  number  of  Vicariates  is  40  ; there  are  40 
bishops,  about  800  European  missionaries,  500  native 
priests  ; and  the  number  of  native  Catholics  through- 
out the  whole  of  China  proper  is  estimated  at 
700,000. 

The  Vicariate  of  Pekin,  the  mission  of  special  inter- 
est to  us,  dates  back  to  1288,  when  it  was  intrusted 
to  the  sons  of  St.  Francis.  About  1582  it  was  taken 
charge  of  by  the  Fathers  of  the  Society  of  Jesus, 
when  the  renowned  Father  Matteo  Eicci  and  his  com- 
panions made  Pekin  their  headquarters.  In  1784, 
on  the  suppression  of  the  Society  of  Jesus,  Pope 
Clement  XIV.  at  the  request  of  Louis  XVI.  of  France 
confided  the  Vicariate  to  the  Fathers  of  the  Congre- 
gation of  the  Mission,  more  popularly  known  as  the 
Lazarists  or  Vincentians.  They  have  continued  to 
serve  the  Vicariate  ever  since. 

According  to  the  last  report  issued  by  Bishop 
Favier,  C.M.,  Vicar  Apostolic  of  Pekin,  at  the  end 
of  1899  there  were  31  churches,  577  stations, 
46,900  Catholics,  2,322  baptisms  of  adults  during  the 
year,  and  6,506  catechumens.  The  missionary  staff 
comprised  about  28  European  missionaries  and  30 
native  priests  ; a Trappist  monastery  with  5 priests, 
18  choir  religious,  and  33  brothers  ; a community  of 
Marist  brothers,  with  18  members,  and  also  communi- 
ties of  Sisters  of  Charity  and  Sisters  of  St.  Joseph. 

In  the  London  “ Tablet  ” of  Aug.  11, 1900,  appeared 
a graphic  description  of  the  mission  of  Pekin,  from 
which  the  following  is  taken : 


THE  CHINESE  MISSIONS. 


3 


“M.  Marcel  Monnier,  in  his  delightful  book  ‘Le 
Tour  d’Asie,  L’Empire  du  Milieu/  writes  as  follows 
of  the  Lazarist  missions  at  Pekin  : — 

*“At  the  missions  the  welcome  was  indeed  a cordial 
one.  The  road  thither  is  easily  found.  Hours  pass 
swiftly  by  in  conversing  with  the  men  who  for  so 
many  years  have  passed  their  whole  lives  in  the  midst 
of  these  strange  Chinese  races  ; men  who  have  adopted 
their  language,  their  habits  and  customs,  who  have 
studied  their  literature,  their  art  and  their  annals, 
and  who  possess  the  gift,  so  rare  and  scarce,  of  evok- 
ing in  their  conversation,  by  a few  ornate  and  vividly 
descriptive  touches,  men  and  matters  of  the  present 
and  the  past ; men  with  minds  alert,  not  given,  how- 
ever, to  the  fostering  of  illusions,  convinced  that 
they  are  laboring  on  ungrateful  soil ; still  tenacious, 
possessed  of  a joyous  ardor,  wholly  happy  in  the 
enormous  difficulties  of  their  self-imposed  tasks. 

11 1 It  would  be  a mistake  to  look  upon  these  mis-  • 
sions  simply  from  the  one  point  of  view  of  religious 
propagandism.  Their  activity  is  manifest  in  many 
different  ways.  Their  missions  in  Pekin  are  far 
removed  one  from  the  other,  situate  at  the  four  cardi- 
nal points,  as  their  names  indicate  : Pei-tang,  Nan- 
tang,  Ton-tang,  and  Si-tang,  — the  Church  of  the 
North,  of  the  South,  of  the  East,  of  the  West.  Around 
these  churches  are  grouped  not  only  the  residences 
of  the  Fathers,  the  seminaries  and  the  novitiates,  but 
also  the  schools,  the  workshops,  where  the  young 
people  are  taught  wood  and  metal  work.  Then  there 


4 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


is  the  printing-office,  where  the  young  native  com- 
positors are  equally  skilled  in  the  setting  up  of  the 
Chinese  and  Latin  characters. 

The  Hospital  and  Dispensary. 

‘“'Near  the  Church  of  the  East,  Ton-tang,  is  the 
hospital  where  the  Sisters  of  Charity  of  St.  Vincent 
de  Paul,  assisted  by  the  medical  staff  of  the  French 
Legation,  are  ever  assiduous  in  their  care  and  nursing 
of  the  most  repulsively  afflicted  patients.  This  suf- 
fering class  of  humanity  exhibit  afflictions,  sores,  and 
complaints  and  suchlike  pathological  phenomena  sel- 
dom to  be  met  with  in  European  clinical  institutions. 
This  institution  is  the  only  one  of  its  kind  in  all 
Pekin.  Needless  to  say  it  is  ever  crowded.  On 
certain  days  there  are  to  be  seen  hundreds  of  stricken 
patients  awaiting  the  arrival  of  the  doctor.  Those 
who  are  unable  to  find  room  in  the  hospital  make 
their  way  to  the  dispensary.  There  their  ailments 
are  seen  to,  wounds  washed,  and  a large  bowl  of  rice 
given  to  each.  In  the  neighborhood  of  this  mission  — 
the  most  ancient  Catholic  settlement  extant  in  Pekin, 
one  founded  by  the  Portuguese  Jesuits  over  two 
hundred  years  ago  — there  is  a never-ceasing  influx 
and  exodus  of  spectral  figures,  disease-stricken  and 
fever-marked  sufferers. 

“ < The  headquarters  of  the  mission  is  the  Pei-tang, 

■ — Church  of  the  North.  It  is  situated  in  the  yellow 
quarter  of  the  city,  close  to  the  Imperial  Palace. 
There  are  two  small  pavilions  flanking  the  entrance 


THE  CHINESE  MISSIONS. 


5 


surmounted  by  a dragon ; affixed  to  the  wall  are 
marble  slabs  on  which  are  inscribed  the  Imperial 
Ordinances,  setting  forth  the  terms  upon  which  the 
concession  of  the  land  was  made  to  France  some  one 
hundred  years  ago.  But  a few  years  back  the  Em- 
peror, wishing  to  enlarge  the  grounds  of  his  palace, 
took  the  site  previously  held  by  the  Fathers,  and  gave 
them  the  present  site  in  exchange,  and  built  the 
present  cathedral,  episcopal  residence,  and  all  the 
many  dependencies  at  his  own  expense,  — a cost  esti- 
mated at  over  $150,000.  A huge  tablet  suspended 
over  the  facade  of  the  Cathedral  records  this  fact. 
Pei-tang  is  the  residence  of  the  Vicar- Apostolic,  a 
man  whose  name  is  widely  known,  who  is  much  be- 
loved by  all  those  whose  privilege  it  has  been  to 
know  and  meet  him,  Bishop  C.  M.  Favier. 

The  School  of  the  Marist  Brothers. 

(((A  mile  or  so  outside  the  walls,  near  to  the  old 
French  cemetery,  in  the  village  of  Cha-la-eul,  is  the 
wonderful  school  established  and  directed  by  the 
Marist  Brothers.  There  are  about  one  hundred  native 
students  attending  the  classes.  This  institution 
enjoys  a deservedly  high  reputation.  Many  of  the 
youngsters  who  have  made  their  studies  in  this 
school  are  now  holding  good  posts  in  the  Civil  Ser- 
vice and  Custom  House  offices.  One  of  the  recent 
members  of  the  Chinese  Embassy  at  Paris,  the  Min- 
ister Tsing,  was  a student  of  Cha-la-eul.’  ” 


6 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


II. 

Mutterings  of  the  Coming  Storm. 

During  the  early  part  of  the  year,  Bishop  Favier 
had  gone  to  Europe  in  the  interest  of  his  mission. 
Hearing  that  signs  of  the  approaching  storm  had  been 
seen,  he  returned  at  once,  and  on  May  18,  1900, 
wrote  from  Pekin  the  following  letter  1 : — 

Pekin,  May  18th,  1900. 

My  stay  in  Europe  was  very  short  indeed ; but  no 
amount  of  kindness  could  have  kept  me  away  from 
my  vicariate  longer,  and  I am  thankful  now  that  1 
have  returned.  I felt,  by  intuition,  that  grave  events 
were  about  to  happen  and  that  a storm  was  brewing. 
In  case  of  a cyclone,  a commander  must  be  at  his 
post,  even  if  it  means  to  be  tied  to  the  mast. 

To  understand  the  insurrectional  and  anti-Christian 
movement  that  has  gained  ground  so  rapidly,  we 
must  investigate  the  causes.  Permit  me  a few  prelim- 
inary explanations. 

Seeing  that  the  emperor,  Kuang  Hsu,  could  have  no 
heir,  and  that,  moreover,  he  was  plotting  to  deprive 

1 From  the  “Annals  of  the  Propagation  of  the  Faith,”  September, 
October,  1900. 


MU TTE RINGS  OF  THE  COMING  STORM.  7 

her  of  the  regency,  the  Empress  nominated  a new 
emperor,  or  rather  an  heir  presumptive.  This  future 
sovereign  of  China,  twelve  to  fourteen  years  of  age, 
is  a grandson  of  Prince  Tuan,  the  fifth  brother  of 
Emperor  Shien  Fong,  who  died  in  1860. 

The  son  of  the  Prince  Tuan  mentioned,  who  has 
*the  same  name  and  is  the  father  of  the  new  emperor, 
is  filled  with  hatred  against  Europeans  and  their 
religion.  His  animosity  is  easily  accounted  for. 
Prince  Kong,  the  sixth  prince  who  has  assumed  the 
regency  since  1860,  and  his  younger  brother,  the 
seventh  prince  who  succeeded  him  as  father  of 
the  Emperor,  Kuang  Hsu,  were  both  younger  brothers 
of  Prince  Tuan,  who  by  right  should  have  governed 
since  1860.  Besides,  when  there  was  question  of 
choosing  a successor  to  the  Emperor,  Tung-Che,  who 
died  without  issue,  the  son  of  the  seventh  prince 
instead  of  the  son  of  Prince  Tuan  was  unlawfully 
selected.  These  two  acts  of  injustice  so  incensed  the 
latter  that  he  retired  to  Moukden  with  his  family. 
The  choice  of  the  new  heir  presumptive  has  given 
Prince  Tuan  great  influence  with  the  Empress.  He 
has  returned  with  his  old  hatred  against  Europeans, 
treaties,  and  all  that  has  happened  since  1860 ; and, 
besides,  in  complete  ignorance  of  European  affairs, 
the  progress  accomplished ' and  concessions  granted. 
In  fact,  he  is  still  imbued  with  all  the  old  ideas  of 
forty  years  ago.  The  old  party  and  all  persons  of 
note  who  have  preserved  the  feeling  of  hatred  against 
Europe  and  the  Christian  religion  have  rallied  around 


8 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


Prince  Tuan.  The  result  is  two  decided  parties : 
that  of  the  prince,  and  that  of  the  princes  and  man- 
darins who  have  been  in  power  since  1860 ; these 
have  accepted  progress,  and  issued  the  protective  laws 
and  decrees  for  religion,  culminating  in  that  of  March 
15,  1899,  which  the  Empress  herself  brought  about 
and  signed,  and  which  has  not  been  revoked,  though 
the  old  party  has  since  come  into  power. 

Numerous  sects  under  the  names  of  Boxers , Large 
Knives,  etc.,  whose  insurrection  originated  in  Shan- 
tung, have  for  the  past  seven  or  eight  months  spread 
throughout  Chi-li,  directing  their  movements  toward 
Pekin. 

The  Boxers  are  a truly  diabolical  sect ; invocations, 
incantations,  obsession,  and  even  possession,  are  com- 
mon among  them.  Savants  may  attribute  their  ex- 
traordinary doings  to  magnetism  or  hypnotism,  or 
may  look  upon  them  as  victims  of  hysteria  and  fanat- 
icism ; but  to  us  they  seem  to  be  even  more  directly 
instruments  of  the  devil. 

The  hatred  of  the  name  Christian  drives  them  to 
the  greatest  excesses.  Established,  as  they  are,  in 
every  village,  they  unite  on  a day  specified  to  attack 
any  one  Christian  settlement.  On  Saturday,  May 
12,  they  burned  the  village  of  Kao-lo,  and  massacred 
more  than  70  persons  ; several  other  villages  were 
burned  immediately  afterwards.  The  Christians  took 
flight,  leaving  all  their  worldly  possessions  behind 
them.  The  city  of  Pekin  itself  is  not  safe.  Boxers 
are  there  in  great  numbers,  and  everywhere  placards 


MUTTER1NGS  OF  THE  COMING  STORM.  9 


are  posted  announcing  the  burning  of  churches  and 
the  destruction  of  Europeans.  The  movement  seems 
to  be  approved  by  those  high  in  authority,  and  con- 
verges from  all  quarters  toward  Pekin.  The  stand- 
ards of  the  rebels  bear  such  inscriptions  as  : “ Protect 
the  dynasty  and  destroy  Europeans ; ” By  “ order  of 
the  Emperor,  let  us  destroy  all  Europeans.”  Danger, 
therefore,  is  imminent. 

We  have  taken  all  the  precautions  dictated  by 
prudence.  I have  written  letters  to  all  the  upper 
mandarins.  At  my  request,  troops  have  been  sent  to 
a number  of  Christian  settlements ; but  they  are 
nearly  all  inadequate  and  some  are  ill-disposed. 
Nevertheless,  I believe  there  would  be  greater  evil 
done  without  them. 

In  our  pressing  necessity,  I have  ordered  public 
prayers  for  peace,  which  God  alone  can  grant.  Be- 
sides, I have  written  an  official  letter  to  the  foreign 
minister,  who  has  convoked  the  diplomatic  corps.  It 
has  been  unanimously  decided  to  force  the  Chinese 
government  to  prompt  action  under  the  penalty  of 
calling  in  foreign  troops.  Despite  the  danger,  all  are 
ready  at  their  posts.  The  conduct  of  the  Christians 
is  admirable ; apostasy  is  proposed  to  them,  but  they 
prefer  flight,  ruin,  even  death.  Several  catechumens 
have  received  the  baptism  of  blood. 

May  28tli.  This  letter,  commenced  ten  days  since, 
has  been  interrupted  by  ten  days  of  sorrow.  Every 
hour  brings  fresh  news  of  misfortune.  The  massacre 
in  Kao-lo  was  horrible  : the  victims  numbered  more 


10 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


than  eighty.  Small  children  were  quartered,  women 
were  burned  in  church  or  run  through  with  a sword, 
men  were  stabbed  or  shot ; it  is  rumored  that  some 
were  crucified.  Twenty  persons  escaped  because  they 
were  absent  at  the  time  of  the  massacre.  A young 
man,  eighteen  years  of  age,  was  thrown  into  a well 
where  he  remained  forty-eight  hours ; when  the 
assassins  left,  he  made  his  escape  and  has  just  arrived 
among  us.  In  another  village,  two  Christians  were 
cut  into  pieces.  In  a third,  several  were  massacred. 
Thirty  villages  at  least  have  been  abandoned  by  the 
Christians ; six  have  been  burned  to  the  ground, 
together  with  their  churches.  The  poor  Chinese,  who 
are  pursued,  take  refuge  in  the  mountains  or  in  the 
largest  cities.  We  are  giving  shelter  to  more  than 
2,000.  The  last  few  days,  in  particular,  have  been  a 
terrible  experience. 

The  Boxers  united  in  arms,  May  26,  to  attack 
Cha-la,  at  the  very  gates  of  Pekin.  Only  a miracle 
saved  the  place  that  night.  We  had,  fortunately, 
taken  the  precaution  of  bringing  the  Sisters  of  Char- 
ity into  the  city.  The  next  day,  the  terrible  and, 
unfortunately,  true  news,  was  circulated  that  the 
Boxers,  with  unheard-of  audacity,  had  burned  the 
Hankau-Pekin  railroad  for  about  ninety-five  miles, 
as  far  as  the  terminus  station,  near  the  capital.  All 
was  destroyed, — material,  stations,  stores;  we  do  not 
yet  know  whether  all  the  foreigners  along  the  road 
were  saved  or  not. 

The  same  evening  our  large  establishment  of 


MUTTERINGS  OF  THE  COMING  STORM.  11 


Pei-tang  was  to  have  been  burned.  The  announcement 
had  been  proclaimed  and  posted  for  several  days, 
and  I consider  our  escape  miraculous.  The  different 
foreign  ministers  have  met  in  consultation,  and  have 
decided  to  call  in  special  detachments.  If  they  do 
not  arrive  within  eight  days,  the  fault  will  surely  not 
be  theirs. 

Chinese  troops  have  taken  possession  of  the  rail- 
way, and  have  reestablished  communication  with 
Tientsin,  interrupted  for  forty-eight  hours. 

A most  insufficient  imperial  decree  was  published 
this  morning,  but  that  protects  neither  religious 
establishments  nor  the  Legations  in  Pekin  from  a 
coup  de  main.  The  Christian  settlements  in  the 
province  are  in  the  greatest  danger.  Every  minute 
may  bring  us  the  news  of  a fresh  catastrophe.  We 
must  hope,  nevertheless ; we  are  in  the  hands  of  God, 
and  not  a hair  of  our  heads  shall  fall  without  His 
permission. 

Such  is  our  position  to-day,  May  30.  I hope  that 
I shall  be  able  to  write  better  news  in  a few  days. 
But  the  revolution  against  foreigners  and  the  perse- 
cution against  Christians  seem  so  well  organized  that 
we  may  expect  anything.  Perhaps  our  prayers  and 
those  of  our  poor  Christians  will  appease  the  anger 
of  God. 


12 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


III. 

After  the  Clouds  had  Broken. 

From  the  date  mentioned  (May  30),  with  tne  ex- 
ception of  one  brief  dispatch,  telling  of  the  brutal 
murders  of  some  religious,  no  word  was  received  from 
Catholic  sources  at  Pekin,  until  the  following  Sep- 
tember. Then,  when  regular  communication  with 
Europe  was  once  again  established,  among  the  most 
important  and  interesting  documents  received  was 
the  journal  of  the  Bight  Beverend  A.  Favier,  C.M., 
Vicar  Apostolic  of  Pekin,  with  its  accompanying 
letter. 

Tientsin,  September,  1900. 

The  conduct  of  our  Christians  has  been  admirable  ; 
all  devoted  themselves  to  most  fervent  prayer  with- 
out fearing  for  their  lives.  The  couriers  sent  to  the 
Legations  were  in  danger  of  death  ; several  never  re- 
turned. On  the  10th  of  August,  one  of  them  again 
sacrificed  himself  to  inform  the  minister  of  our 
being  in  the  last  extremity  of  need.  Poor  young 
man ! he  was  flayed,  and  the  Boxers  exposed  his 
skin  and  head  within  a few  yards  of  our  own  walls. 

It  was  a sad  sight  to  behold  Christian  women 


AFTER  THE  C LOTTES  HAD  BROKEN.  13 


depriving  themselves  of  their  own  meager  allowance 
of  food  to  nourish  their  infants ; for  a long  time  they 
had  had  no  breast-milk;  with  small  pieces  of  tin 
that  served  as  spoons,  they  introduced  the  weak 
gruel  into  the  mouths  of  their  poor  children.  Our 
number  was  increased  during  these  two  months  by 
thirty  new  born  babes. 

One  morning,  before  Holy  Mass,  one  of  these  brave 
Christian  women,  who  had  been  confined  during  the 
night,  threw  herself  at  my  feet,  with  the  words,  — 

“ Bishop,  Bishop,  let  me  have  some  millet,  that  I 
may  have  a little  milk.” 

I was  obliged  to  refuse  her  with  tears  in  my  eyes  ; 
there  was  nothing  more  to  give. 

We  were  obliged  to  cook  the  leaves  of  trees,  and 
roots  of  dahlias  and  cannae,  stems  and  the  bulbs  of 
lilies ; these,  stewed  together,  increased  the  small 
pittance  of  food  allowed  to  each. 

At  night  all  occupied  the  one  place,  trying  to  pro- 
tect themselves  against  bullets,  and,  especially,  mines. 
Two  or  three  hundred  children  were  crying  for  hun- 
ger ; the  intense  heat  kept  me  from  sleeping,  and  I 
felt  as  though  I were  listening  to  the  bleating  of  a 
flock  of  little  lambs  destined  for  sacrifice.  These 
cries,  however,  grew  weaker  day  by  day,  for  we 
buried  one  hundred  and  seventy  of  these  innocents. 

Misery,  hunger,  sickness,  and  bullets  have  more 
than  decimated  the  Christian  population  ; the  number 
of  dead  buried  in  our  garden  exceeds  four  hundred. 
All  died  good  Christians,  saying,  “ We  die  for  our 


14 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


religion,  killed  out  of  hatred  for  the  faith ; the  good 
God  will  give  us  Paradise.” 

Our  Sisters  of  Charity  have  behaved  admirably ; 
more  tried  than  we  ourselves  were,  perhaps,  they 
deprived  themselves  of  everything  for  their  children. 
Excepting  one  or  two  whose  nervous  debility  excused 
their  apprehensions,  all  manifested  truly  manly  cour- 
age. The  frightful  shock  of  the  last  mine  was  the 
final  blow  to  the  venerable  superioress,  Sister  Jaurias, 
who  was  seventy-eight  years  of  age,  and  sick  ; she 
died  a happy  death,  for  God  did  not  call  her  until 
after  the  deliverance. 

How  shall  I speak  of  the  missionaries  ? My 
coadjutor  was  everywhere,  watched  over  everything, 
encouraging,  consoling,  and  supporting  everyone, 
crossing  the  most  dangerous  places  constantly  with- 
out heeding  shot  or  ball.  The  director  of  the  semi- 
nary with  his  young  men  watched  night  and  day  on 
the  roof  of  the  church,  on  the  barricades,  and  in  the 
trenches.  The  seminarians  with  one  of  our  young 
colleagues  still  not  in  Orders  promptly  filled  the 
places  of  our  dead  or  wounded  soldiers,  and  used 
their  guns  like  trained  men  ; several  were  struck  by 
balls,  but,  thanks  be  to  God ! none  was  killed. 

Our  procurator  continued  to  fulfill  his  duties  with 
astonishing  calmness,  attending  to  everything,  and 
though  in  delicate  health,  suffered  privations  with 
uncommon  fortitude.  Our  native  missionaries  multi- 
plied themselves  to  establish  a little  order  in  the 
house ; they  directed  the  workers,  watched  over  the 


AFTER  THE  CLOUDS  HAD  BROKEN. 


15 


distribution  of  food,  preserved  peace,  and  administered 
the  last  consolations  to  the  dying.  Only  myself  did 
nothing  worthy  of  mention.  In  constant  retirement 
in  my  room,  I prayed  to  God,  to  the  Blessed  Virgin, 
to  the  holy  angels,  and  to  all  our  patron  saints.  I 
tried  to  preserve  in  myself,  and  to  impart  to  others, 
the  spirit  of  resignation,  patience,  and  calm  so  neces- 
sary in  times  like  these. 

I do  not  think  that  I exaggerate  in  estimating  the 
number  of  victims  in  the  Vicariate  of  Pekin  alone 
to  be  20,000  at  least;  20,000  victims,  dead,  burned, 
cut  to  pieces,  or  thrown  into  the  rivers,  without 
making  the  slightest  idolatrous  prostration  that 
would  have  spared  their  lives.  I do  not  believe  that 
two  out  of  a hundred  have  saved  themselves  by  a 
single  superstitious  act  where  the  heart  was  not 
involved.  Not  one  of  our  missionaries  left  his  post, 
though  the  mandarins  offered  to  conduct  them  under 
escort  to  a place  of  safety ; not  one  forsook  his 
Christians.  At  the  present  hour,  notwithstanding 
the  arrival  of  troops,  more  than  twenty-five  are  be- 
sieged in  their  residences.  May  God  protect  them  ! 

In  Pekin,  three  churches,  seven  large  chapels,  the 
colleges,  hospitals,  and  establishments  of  the  Sisters 
of  St.  Joseph  (native)  — all  are  destroyed.  The 
cemeteries  in  which  missionaries  have  been  buried, 
from  Matthew  Ricci  to  Bishop  Sarthon  (three  cen- 
turies), have  been  robbed,  monuments  overthrown, 
bones,  yea,  even  the  coffins,  reduced  to  ashes  and  cast 
to  the  winds.  The  Pei-tang  (northern  cathedral), 


16 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKItf. 


damaged  by  shells,  is  the  only  building  undestroyed. 
Fathers  Addosio,  G-arrigues,  Dore,  and  Chavanne 
were  killed  in  Pekin,  and  several  Chinese  priests 
in  the  mission  likewise  lost  their  lives. 

The  Vicariate  possessed  one  hundred  and  seventy- 
seven  Christian  settlements,  of  which  nearly  all  had 
their  chapels ; hardly  one-fourth  have  been  spared  : 
the  houses  of  Christians  have  been  pillaged  and 
burned.  I know  but  one  in  Pekin  that  has  been  left 
standing. 

In  short,  the  ruin  is  almost  entire,  the  work  of 
forty  years  is  nearly  annihilated ; the  courage  of  mis- 
sionaries, nevertheless,  is  not  on  the  wane ; we  shall 
begin  over  again,  assured  of  success  in  the  end,  for 
“the  blood  of  martyrs  is  the  seed  of  Christians;” 
unless  God  design  to  punish  unhappy  China,  that  has 
abused  His  grace  for  centuries.  Let  us  hope  that  He 
will  grant  pardon,  so  many  persons,  even  among  the 
mandarins,  are  innocent  of  the  atrocities  committed. 
We  love,  and  will  ever  love,  our  poor  people  of  China ; 
pray  for  them  and  for  us.  “ Gratias  agamos  Domino 
Deo  nostro  ! ” 


PART  SECOND. 


Through  the  Valley  of  the  Shadow  of  Death, 
Day  by  Day.  May- June. 

The  last  news  which  I was  able  to  forward  from 
Pekin  was  dated  May  30.  Permit  me  to  give  yon 
a short  account  of  the  terrible  siege  which  we  have 
sustained  in  the  Pei-tang  until  the  day  of  deliverance 
granted"  by  God. 

Wednesday , May  30th.  — To-day  we  received  proof 
that  the  Boxers  are  assisted  by  the  Chinese  govern- 
ment and  regular  troops.  These  last  themselves 
set  lire  to  the  railway  buildings.  The  Tsung-li-ya- 
min  tried  to  delay  troops ; but  the  foreign  ministers 
held  out,  replying  that  they  would  come  on  foot  if 
the  railroad  were  not  left  open  to  them.  Prom  nine 
till  eleven  o’clock  in  the  evening,  several  small  red 
balloons,  sent  off  by  the  Boxers,  floated  over  the 
city ; they  were  signals  for  assembling ; the  Chinese 
soldiers  had  possessed  themselves  of  a supply  of  car- 
tridges. 

Thursday , May  31st. — My  vicar-general,  Pather 
Guilloux,  whom  I called  to  Pekin,  left  for  Tientsin 

17 


18 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


with  Father  Capy.  Will  they  be  able  to  reach  their 
destination  ? We  are  sure  of  nothing  ; they  say  the 
route  is  intercepted  by  soldiers.  A telegram  from 
Father  Dumont  was  received  at  ten  o’clock;  seven 
other  Christian  villages  burned  ! At  half -past  twelve 
I received  a letter  from  the  French  minister;  himself 
and  the  Russian  minister  were  called  upon  to  exert 
an  unusual  degree  of  energy  in  order  that  the  French 
and  Russian  marines  who  landed  in  Taku  the  evening 
before  might  reach  Pekin  by  rail.  At  half -past  three 
a mandarin  from  our  friends  came  to  see  us  ; he  told 
us  that  the  Empress  could  not  resist  the  anti-Euro- 
pean movement.  The  good  mandarins  have  been  dis- 
charged from  office,  or  have  resigned.  Seventy-five 
French,  75  Russians,  75  English,  40  Italians,  22 
Japanese,  and  60  Americans  left  Tientsin  for  Pekin 
at  half -past  three;  they  are  expected  this  evening. 

Friday , June  1st.  — Refugees  from  all  quarters  are 
arriving ; our  missions  of  Pa-tchoo  are  nearly  totally 
destroyed.  The  brave  Father  Lon  Gregoire  was  the 
last  to  remain  in  his  residence,  and  escaped  from  the 
Boxers  by  flight.  Sisters  of  St.  Joseph,  Children  of 
the  Holy  Childhood,  have  been  massacred.  The 
French  minister  came  to'  see  us  at  half-past  nine 
o’clock,  and  told  us  of  the  coming  of  thirty  marines, 
who,  in  fact,  arrived  at  the  Pei-tang  at  ten  o’clock, 
accompanied  by  nearly  all  the  French  in  Pekin. 
The  Tsung-li-yamen  had  specified  that  the  troops 
were  destined  to  guard  only  the  .legation s ! But  M. 
Pichon  himself  brought  us  nearly  the  half  of  his 


THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW  OF  DEATH.  19 


detachment ; may  he  be  assured  of  our  lasting  grati- 
tude ! At  midnight  Father  Guilloux  telegraphed  to 
us  that  refugees  from  Pa-tchoo  were  arriving  in  large 
numbers  in  Tientsin,  and  that  the  river  was  filled 
with  floating  bodies  of  massacred  Christians. 

Saturday,  June  2d.  — We  are  placing  posts  every- 
where ; the  ensign  of  the  vessel,  Mr.  Paul  Henry,  a 
young  man  twenty-three  years  old,  who  is  in  com- 
mand of  the  marines,  is  as  pious  as  he  is  brave  — a 
true  Breton.  The  news  from  Tientsin  is  bad : the 
grants  themselves  are  exposed.  The  engineers  have 
left  the  city  of  Pao-ting-fou,  and  the  mandarins 
would  like  to  get  our  European  colleagues  to  leave 
likewise.  They  are  refusing,  declaring  that  they 
must  remain  among  their  Christians  until  the  end. 
May  God  protect  them! 

Sunday , Pentecost , June  3d.  — The  Sovereign  Pon- 
tiff having  delegated  me  to  present  a letter  and  a gift 
to  the  Empress  in  his  name,  I proceeded  to  fulfill  this 
mission  of  confidence.  His  majesty  not  being  in  the 
city,  he  appointed  Prince  Ts’ing  to  receive  me  in  his 
name ; which  event  took  place  to-day,  at  two  o’clock, 
in  his  own  palace.  This  prince  was  surrounded  by 
high  mandarins.  Letter  and  presents  were  delivered 
with  full  imperial  ceremonial,  and  were  accepted  with 
the  greatest  marks  of  respect  and  appreciation.  I 
had,  besides,  drawn  up  a petition  for  the  Empress,  in 
which  I explained  the  actual  position.  I asked  pro- 
tection for  our  Christians,  and  the  punishment  of 
the  Boxers.  The  prince  consented  to  take  charge  of 


20 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


it,  and  I know  that  the  next  day  it  was  delivered  to 
His  Majesty. 

Monday,  June  Jtli.  — The  Pei-tang,  examined  by 
our  commander,  seemed  impossible  to  defend  with 
thirty  men.  There  are,  in  fact,  nearly  fourteen  hun- 
dred yards  of  wall ! It  has  been  decided  that  in  case 
of  too  violent  an  attack,  all  are  to  unite  in  the  church, 
and  the  plan  of  defense  is  being  prepared.  We  are, 
besides  70  Europeans,  including  Sisters  and  Brothers, 
about  1,000  male  Chinese  and  nearly  2,200  women  and 
children.  At  one  o’clock  we  received  a visit  from 
several  gentlemen  of  the  Legation  who  told  us  that 
the  fifteen  soldiers  already  sent  to  Nan-tan  were 
obliged  to  be  withdrawn  as  given  up  to  certain  death 
by  the  impossibility  of  an  efficacious  defense.  In 
case  of  attack,  what  is  to  become  of  our  colleagues, 
the  Sisters  of  Charity,  the  Sisters  of  St.  Joseph,  the 
Marist  Brothers,  and  so  many  Christians  who  live  in 
this  parish  ? To  God’s  protection  ! In  the  evening, 
at  six  o’clock,  twenty  Christians  were  armed  as 
guards  : the  danger  increases. 

Tuesday , June  5th.  — I telegraphed  since  morning 
to  the  superior-general  u in  Pekin  and  in  Tientsin 
peril  is  extreme  for  all.”  A dispatch  from  Bather 
Guilloux  informs  us  of  many  fires  and  as  many  more 
massacres  of  Christians.  Here,  everybody  is  working 
on  barricades,  lances  are  being  made,  and  the  supply 
of  provisions  is  being  increased.  At  six  o’clock  in 
the  evening,  the  Italian  minister  sent  ten  of  his 
marines  to  defend  the  establishment  of  the  Sisters, 


THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW  OF  DEATH.  21 

who  belong  to  the  Holy  Childhood,  with  whom  are 
several  Italian  Sisters.  At  half-past  seven  the  gov- 
ernor of  the  city  came  to  me  and  told  me,  — 

“ You  have  nothing  to  fear : the  Boxers  will  not 
dare  to  attack  the  Pei-tang.” 

This  great  mandarin  is  perhaps  sincere,  but,  for  my 
part,  I believe  his  assertion  to  be  absolutely  false. 

Wednesday,  June  6th. — We  are  multiplying  the 
means  of  defense.  We  have  learned  that  the  Em- 
press has  sent  two  members  of  the  Grand  Council  to 
arrest  the  Boxers  by  persuasion ! It  is  altogether 
useless. 

Thursday , June  7th.  — We  are  constructing  a small 
turret  to  protect  the  eastern  wall  of  our  residence. 
I am  going  to  the  Legations,  where  they  still  hope  ; for 
a new  imperial  decree,  better  than  those  preceding, 
has  just  been  issued.  For  myself  I cherish  no  hope, 
and  do  not  fail  to  repeat  that  an  attack  is  imminent. 
At  eight  o’clock  the  Marist  Brothers  of  Cha-La  came 
back  to  the  Pei-tang, 

Friday , June  8th.  — Villages  are  burning  on  all 
sides,  fires  are  multiplying  during  the  night ; the 
firing  of  guns  is  heard  everywhere,  and  we  are  obliged 
to  watch  till  morning. 

Saturday , June  9th.  — Some  Boxers  have  been 
seen  in  the  ldou.  (The  k’ou  is  the  northern  part  of 
the  large  park,  the  southern  part  of  which  was 
given  to  us  by  the  Emperor  to  construct  our  Cathe- 
dral.) I am  going  to  the  Legations  again,  where  all 
optimism  has  not  died  out.  The  Empress  has  re- 


22 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


turned  to  the  city  with  the  court,  and  issued  a very 
strong  new  decree.  The  governor  has  himself  written 
to  me  that  he  has  received  a special  order  to  protect 
the  churches  of  Pekin;  I have  but  little  confidence 
in  his  words ; they  will  be  overridden. 

Sunday,  June  10th.  • — I shall  telegraph  to  Paris 
again,  because  I am  afraid  that  in  a short  time  I 
shall  be  unable  to  do  so ; then  I am  going  to  the 
Legations,  where  there  is  great  uneasiness,  because  of 
the  revolt  of  the  soldiers  of  General  Toun-Fou-Sian. 
Fresh  troops  left  Tientsin  this  morning  under  the 
command  of  Admiral  Seymour  ; we  hope  to  see  them 
arrive  here  to-morrow.  . . . But  the  Boxers  have  all 
left  the  city ; the  regular  soldiers  are  on  the  walls 
with  artillery.  At  eight  o’clock  the  telegraph  wires 
were  cut  between  Tientsin  and  Pekin,  as  well  as 
between  Pekin  and  Pao-ting-fou.  These  facts  are 
bad  signs  ; I shall  be  very  much  surprised  if  the 
reliefs  can  arrive. 

Monday , June  11th.  — From  the  top  of  our  church 
we  see  the  summer  residences  of  - Europeans,  on  the 
western  hills,  in  flames.  At  a quarter  before  ten 
many  Boxers  with  their  standards  passed  along  the 
wall  of  the  Yellow  City ; serious  alarm ; everybody  is 
at  his  post.  Nevertheless,  I left  for  the  Legations ; 
confidence  is  felt  there ; detachments  from  Admiral 
Seymour  and  numerous  troops  are  expected,  because 
the  admirals  have  received  orders  to  send  all  they 
have  as  soon  as  the  telegraph  wires  are  cut,  and  that 
has  been  done.  I share  little  of  this  hope.  Prince 


THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW  OF  DEATH.  23 

Tuan/ grand  chief  of  the  Boxers,  and  high  mandarins, 
their  friends,  have  just  been  named  members  of  the 
Tsung-li-yamen.  At  five  o’clock  in  the  evening  the 
chancellor  of  the  Japanese  Legation,  going  before 
the  expected  troops,  was  massacred  near  the  southern 
gate  by  the  soldiers  of  Toun-fou-sian.  They  have 
united  with  the  Boxers,  and  are  trying  to  keep  all 
Europeans  from  entering  or  leaving  Pekin. 

Tuesday,  June  12th.  — The  Boxers  have  set  fire  to 
the  stacks  of  straw  next  to  the  house  of  the  Sisters  of 
Cha-La.  At  seven  o’clock  in  the  evening  fresh  alarm 
made  us  take  up  arms,  but  our  fears  were  without 
ground.  A half-hour  later  Mr.  Pichon  wrote  to  us 
that  the  new  members  of  the  Yam en  had  come  to 
see  him,  that  they  had  been  very  kind,  and  that 
Admiral  Seymour  would  enter  the  city  without  diffi- 
culty. God  grant  that  the  words  of  the  mandarins 
may  be  sincere,  but  . . . we  cannot  believe  them. 

Wednesday , June  13th.  — General  Toun-fou-sian  is 
in  open  revolt,  the  Christians  of  Pekin  are  leaving 
their  homes.  Three  of  them  have  been  massacred  in 
the  Chinese  city  by  the  Boxers.  We  have  learned 
through  the  Legations  that  Admiral  Seymour  with 
his  troops  slept  in  Lang-fou  yesterday  ; this  village 
is  about  forty  miles  from  here ; the  railroad  has 
been  burned;  we  can  hardly  dare  hope  that  the  troops 
can  arrive  now.  At  midday  we  learned  that  the 
Erench  cemetery  was  burned  and  completely  de- 
stroyed. The  watchman,  his  wife,  and  children  have 
been  massacred.  Bad  night ; fires  and  cries  of  death, 


24 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


to  some  extent,  everywhere ; women  are  taking  refuge 
in  the  church.  At  half-past  nine  o’clock  we  saw  our 
beautiful  church  of  St.  Joseph  in  Tong-tan  in  flames. 
Toward  ten  o’clock  ominous  noises.  The  Boxers  are 
heard  giving  the  word  of  command  to  the  west  of 
our  establishment.  At  eleven  o’clock  two  Christians 
confirmed  the  burning  of  this  Church.  We  watched 
until  morning,  because  the  trumpets  of  the  Boxers 
sounded  on  all  sides. 

Thursday , June  ljth,  Feast  of  Corpus  Christi. — 
At  eight  o’clock  in  the  morning  we  saw  from  the  top 
of  the  church  the  constant  blaze  of  Tung-t’ang  and 
several  other  fires.  W e can  no  longer  hold  communi- 
cation with  any  one  ; the  gates  of  the  Yellow  City  are 
closed,  guarded  by  the  troops  of  Prince  Tuan.  At 
half-past  eleven  o’clock  the  old  cathedral  of  the 
Immaculate  Conception  in  Han-tan,  the  residence,  the 
college,  the  hospital,  the  orphanage,  all  took  fire ; 
it  is  a horrible  sight ! 

Toward  midnight  much  firing  of  cannon  and  guns 
to  the  south ; will  Lord  Seymour  arrive  ? . . . Cries 
of  death  from  Boxers  all  around  us.  Cha , Cha, 
kill ! kill ! ! ! Chao , Chao,  burn  ! burn  ! ! ! Till  two 
o’clock  in  the  morning  everybody  was  up  and  about ; 
then  the  cries  grew  fainter,  and  the  Boxers  seemed  to 
be  retreating. 

Friday,  June  15th.  — All  the  Sisters  expected 
death,  and  received  Holy  Communion ; children  and 
women  have  taken  refuge  in  the  cathedral.  At  eight 
o’clock  we  learned  from  an  escaped  Christian  that 


THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW  OF  DEATH. 


25 


the  missionaries,  Brothers,  Sisters,  and  children  of 
St.  Joseph,  in  Nan-tan,  are  safe  in  the  Legations.  A 
detachment  of  volunteers,  as  courageous  as  devoted, 
went  to  save  them  at  one  o’clock  in  the  morning.  At 
half-past  eleven  we  saw  the  Tower  of  Our  Lady  of 
the  Seven  Dolors  in  Si-t’ang,  the  bricks  of  which  are 
reddened  by  fire.  All  is  surely  burned.  A courier, 
sent  by  us  to  the  Legation,  came  back  at  three  o’clock, 
bringing  a letter  from  Mr.  Pichon,  and  one  from 
Father  Addosio,  pastor  in  Nan-tan:  “ No  news  of 
the  detachments ; fight  with  the  Boxers.  Father 
Garrigues,  pastor  in  Tung-t’ang,  is  surely  murdered. 
Many  Christians  taken  refuge  in  the  palace  of  Prince 
Sou,  to  the  north  of  the  Legations.” 

At  six  o’clock  we  learned  that  Father  Dore,  pastor 
in  Si-t’ang,  had  been  murdered.  At  seven  o’clock 
our  establishments  were  surrounded  on  the  south, 
east,  and  west  by  a large  crowd  of  Boxers.  A half- 
hour  later,  their  horrible  cries  were  heard ; we  were 
surely  going  to  be  attacked.  The  Sisters  and  all 
their  children  came  to  the  cathedral,  where  there 
were  already  eighteen  hundred  women  and  babies, 
maddened  by  fear.  They  were  just  in  time.  The 
Boxers  arrived  by  the  south  at  a quarter  to  eight. 
Their  leader,  on  horse,  is  a lama  or  a bonze ; he  pre- 
cedes an  immense  red  flag,  surrounded  by  young 
Boxers  who  have  undergone  the  incantations  and  are 
likewise  dressed  in  red.  They  burned  perfumed 
sticks,  prostrated  themselves  on  entering  our  street 
on  the  south,  and  then  advanced  in  compact  bands. 


26 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


The  marines  of  our  great  gate  let  them  approach 
within  two  hundred  yards,  then  sent  a volley  into 
their  ranks,  which  laid  forty-seven  of  these  so-called 
“ invulnerables  ” low,  and  put  the  thousands  of 
Boxers,  who  followed,  to  flight.  We  went  out  at 
once  and  captured  five  swords  and  one  lance.  The 
Boxers,  driven  back,  at  once  set  fire  to  the  houses 
which  adjoin  ours  on  the  south.  We  have  been  pre- 
served by  God,  who  changed  the  direction  of  the 
wind  in  our  favor ; moreover,  wet  covering,  pumps, 
nothing  had  been  forgotten  to  assist  Providence. 

Made  furious  by  their  failure,  witnessed  by  a 
crowd  of  ten  thousand  persons  ready  to  plunder,  the 
Boxers  redoubled  their  noise  and  ferocious  yells  until 
after  midnight,  but  did  not  dare  to  attack  anew. 

This  first  serious  encounter  has  given  us  hope 
in  manifesting  the  cowardice  of  our  enemies.  The 
Christians,  whom  we  had  armed  with  about  five  hun- 
dred lances,  had,  besides,  seven  or  eight  poor  guns ; 
made  courageous  by  this  first  success,  they  promised 
to  keep  watch  with  the  marines  on  the  fourteen  hun- 
dred yards  of  wall. 

Saturday,  June  16th.  — Through  a fugitive,  we 
learned  the  admirable  constancy  of  many  Christians 
massacred  without  the  gate  PTng-tze-men,  of  whom 
not  one  would  deny  his  faith ; that  is  very  consoling 
At  half-past  twelve  serious  alarm ; cries  of  Boxers  ; 
arrival  of  regular  soldiers,  who  guard  the  gate  of 
Si-Hoa ; they  are  evidently  not  to  defend,  but  to 
attack  us.  Our  purveyor  refuses  to  sell  anything; 


THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW  OF  DEATH.  27 


he  is  threatened  with  death  if  he  gives  us  the  least 
supply.  Towards  half-past  four  an  immense  fire  be- 
gins to  rage  in  Tsien-Men  ; the  Boxers,  after  having 
burned  all  the  houses  of  Christians,  are  now  burning 
the  stores  where  a few  European  articles  are  sold. 
A courier  sent  to  the  Legation,  came  back  at  five 
o’clock.  Always  no  news  from  Admiral  Seymour. 
At  half-seven  every-one  is  at  his  post.  • More  than 
three  hundred  soldiers,  and  numerous  Boxers,  have 
surrounded  our  residence ; the  Sisters  and  Christians 
again  pass  a sad  night  in  the  church.  An  imperial 
decree,  issued  during  the  day,  announces  officially  to 
all  China  that  the  churches  of  Pekin  have  been 
burned. 

Sunday,  June  17  th.  — From  two  till  half -past  three 
in  the  morning  many  cannon-shots  and  volleys  from 
the  side  of  the  Legations.  Toward  ten  o’clock, 
Boxers  and  troops  blockade  us  completely.  However, 
a Christian  gives  himself  up,  leaves,  and  brings  us 
word  from  Mr.  Pichon  : “ More  than  two  thousand 
houses  have  been  burned  in  Tsien-Men,  of  which 
twenty-six  large  Chinese  banks.”  Afternoon  very 
disturbed.  The  Boxers  and  their  fires  are  seen  all 
around  us. 

Monday,  June  18th. — We  are  fortifying  ourselves 
against  a possible  attack  from  artillery,  as  several 
cannon  have  been  brought  to  the  south  of  our  build- 
ings. Prince  Tuan  himself  is  not  far  away.  At  half- 
past four,  a large  number  of  Boxers  came  in  vehicles, 
a,nd  preparations  for  attack  began.  A heavy  rain 


28 


THE  HEART  OF  FEK1N. 


sent  by  God  at  a quarter  before  six  prevents  the 
attack. 

Tuesday , June  19th.  — A servant  from  Si-t’ang, 
after  having  wandered  about  in  the  city  several  days, 
succeeded  in  coming  to  us,  and  told  us  that  Father 
Dore  was  burned  to  death  in  his  room  together  with 
twenty  Christians ; he  would  not  make  use  of  his 
arms.  A few  days  before,  this  brave  Father  said 
to  me,  — 

“ Bishop,  if  I am  attacked,  may  I make  use  of  my 
gun  ? ” 

I answered  him, — 

“ Of  course  it  is  permitted  in  case  of  legitimate 
defense.” 

He  added, — 

“ But,  if  it  were  to  defend  myself  alone,  would  it 
not  be  more  perfect  not  to  make  use  of  it  ? ” 

I then  said  to  him,  — 

<e  Assuredly ; to  be  murdered  for  God  without 
making  any  defense  is  true  martyrdom.” 

That  is  what  this  beloved  brother  has  done  ! 

In  the  street  ten  pieces  of  cannon  are  turned 
toward  us.  Are  they  to  defend  the  palace,  or  to 
attack  us  ? 

Wednesday,  June  20th.  — A Christian  has  reached 
us  despite  the  blockade.  He  has  informed  us  that 
the  German  minister  was  killed  in  going  to  Ya-men, 
and  that  the  other  ministers  have  received  orders  to 
leave  within  twenty-four  hours. 

Thursday,  June  21st.  ( 30th  anniversary  of  the 


THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW  OF  DEATH.  29 

massacres  of  Tientsin .)  — A brave  Christian  has  given 
himself  np  to  go  to  the  Legations  again;  he  has 
brought  back  this  short  message  from  Mr.  Pichon,  — 
“The  French  Legation  and  other  ministers  are 
obliged  to  withdraw  to  the  English  Legation;  the 
German  minister  has  been  really  killed  and  his  in- 
terpreter wounded ; the  Austrian  Legation  has  been 
evacuated  and  will  be  burned.  The  project  of  leaving 
Pekin  has  been  abandoned.  Let  us  prepare  our- 
selves for  the  last  journey,  but  let  us  still  hope.’7 
On  his  part,  Mr.  Darcy,  lieutenant  and  the  superior 
officer  of  Mr.  Paul  Henry,  has  written  to  him:  “You 
should  have  received  the  order  to  rally,  but  remain 
at  your  post  for  the  present.77  God  permitted  that 
this  order  to  rally  never  reached  us,  otherwise  we 
should  all  have  been  lost.  The  situation  is  grave. 
Are  we  going  to  join  the  martyrs  of  Tientsin  ? We 
are  preparing  ourselves  for  all  things. 

Friday , June  22d,  Feast  of  the  Sacred  Heart. — 
We  are  completely  blockaded,  and  are  no  longer  able 
to  hold  communication  with  any  one  without. 

Those  besieged  are  as  follows,  — 

Bishop  Favier,  Bishop  Jarlin,  coadjutor,  Bev.  Du- 
coulombier,  procurator  general  of  the  Vicariate,  Bev. 
Giron,  director  of  the  seminaries,  Bev.  Chavanne, 
professor  recently  arrived,  Mr.  Gartner,  student  not 
yet  in  Orders,  Brother  Denis  and  Brother  Maes  ; the 
Visitor  of  the  Marist  Brothers,  the  Superior  and  four 
Brothers  of  the  same  society ; twenty -two  Sisters  of 
Charity,  of  whom  eight  are  native ; thirty  French 


30 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


marines  of  the  dl Entreccisteaux,  the  ensign  in  com* 
mand,  Mr.  .Paul  Henry,  ten  Italian  marines,  besides 
an  adjutant  and  an  ensign,  Mr.  Olivieri ; one  hundred 
and  eleven  pupils  of  the  Grand  and  Little  Seminaries ; 
900  men  and  youths,  refugees ; 1,800  women  and 
children ; 450  young  girls  from  the  schools  and 
orphanages;  51  infants  in  the  cradle;  approximate 
total,  3,420  in  all,  of  whom  71  are  Europeans. 

With  a pound  to  a person  a day,  we  have  enough 
provisions  for  more  than  one  month;  our  arms  con- 
sist of  forty  guns  of  the  marines,  seven  or  eight  guns 
of  all  kinds  in  the  hands  of  Chinese,  a few  poor 
swords  and  500  lances,  or  rather  500  long  sticks 
tipped  with  iron.  These  are  all.  The  line  to  be 
defended  measures  exactly  1360  yards. 

I had  determined,  in  a pastoral  letter,  that  the 
consecration  of  the  Vicariate  to  the  Sacred  Heart 
should  take  place  to-day.  At  half-past  six  o’clock, 
the  priest  kneeling  at  the  foot  of  the  altar  was  read- 
ing the  first  words  of  consecration,  when  a severe 
cannon-shot  broke  a window  of  the  church,  where  all 
had  assembled,  and  killed  a poor  woman.  A panic, 
readily  pardoned,  seized  the  people ; all  crowded  in 
the  chapels  and  sacristies  of  the  west,  as  we  had  been 
attacked  from  the  east.  Cannon  reports  succeeded  one 
another  at  minute  intervals  : the  church  was  speedily 
evacuated.  Fourteen  Krupp  guns  sent  forth  without 
interruption  the  latest  improved  Schrapnel  bombs. 
Several  small  brick  columns,  double  windows,  flew 
into  pieces ; the  facade  of  our  cathedral  is  badly 


Cathedral  of  Pekin. 


THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW  OF  DEATH.  SI 


damaged;  the  steeples  are  in  ruins,  but  the  cross 
of  marble  continues  to  stand.  About  half-past  three 
the  attack  was  so  violent  that  we  believed  our  last 
hour  had  come.  Toward  five  o’clock  an  ordinary 
Chinese  cannon,  leveled  about  three  hundred  yards 
away  from  our  large  door,  sent  a full  volley  which 
blew  in  a panel. 

Greatly  excited  by  so  great  audacity,  Commander 
Henry  and  Bishop  Jarlin  led  four  marines,  who 
with  thirty  Christians,  hurried  without,  after  a heavy 
fire,  and  took  possession  of  the  cannon,  which  they 
brought  back  with  them  despite  a heavy  discharge  of 
musketry.  Two  Christians  met  death  and  two  were 
wounded  in  this  bold  venture.  A short  time  after- 
wards all  firing  of  cannon  ceased.  The  Boxers 
uttered  fierce  cries,  and  set  fire  to  the  houses  of  our 
neighbors  on  the  south ; they  will  not  go  far  away, 
and  when  they  do  they  leave  the  place  to  their 
friends,  the  soldiers  of  Prince  Tuan.  To-day  alone 
they  fired  five  hundred  and  thirty  cannon-shots 
against  us!  We  mourned  the  loss  of  but  three  men 
and  one  woman.  That  was  little  for  so  much 
powder  burned. 

Saturday,  June  23d.  — The  night  was  compara- 
tively calm,  but  the  attack  recommenced  at  nine 
o’clock,  as  violent  as  the  day  before.  I.  was  seated 
with  the  commander  on  a small  bench  near  our 
Great  Gate,  watching  the  marble  of  the  facade  of 
our  beautiful  church  being  blown  to  pieces,  when  a 
clever  gunner  sent  a bomb  even  to  the  foot  of  the 


32 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


cross,  which,  broken,  fell  on  the  parvis.  I felt  so 
happy  in  fixing  this  beantifnl  cross  of  marble  on  the 
top  of  the  building  only  thirteen  years  ago ! How- 
ever, if  God  spares  us,  it  will  again  take  its  place. 

At  four  o’clock  in  the  afternoon,  the  bombardment 
ceased ; we  had  received  but  360  cannon-shots  during 
the  day ; not  a single  man  was  wounded ; everyone 
had  prayed  fervently,  ready  for  death.  God  and  the 
Blessed  Virgin  are  protecting  us  perceptibly. 

Sunday , June  2Jfth.  — The  regular  soldiers,  sheltered 
behind  the  walls  of  burned  houses,  have,  since  morn- 
ing, aimed  thousands  of  shots  from  Mauser  rifles 
against  us ; their  guns  are  repeaters  and  the  latest 
improved.  Up  to  midday  we  counted  only  thirty 
cannon-shots,  which  worked  comparatively  little 
damage,  throwing  nothing  but  loaded  balls.  About 
four  o’clock  in  the  afternoon  a battery  of  four  pieces 
was  stationed  in  the  R’on  to  the  north  of  our  estab- 
lishments ; the  Tartars  sent  murderous  shells  against 
the  church  and  into  the  courts,  taking  all  our  posts 
on  the  east  by*  enfilade  fire.  Two  Christians  were 
killed.  The  Italians,  having  very  few  cartridges, 
Commander  Henry  procured  them  some  by  a bold 
venture  with  10  Trench  marines.  The  volleys,  sent 
at  a range  of  750  yards,  silenced* the  fire  of  the 
artillery.  The  Tartars  lost  over  50  men,  and 
hastened  to  move  their  cannon.  Spirits  are  raised, 
the  sanitary  condition  is  excellent,  divine  protection 
is  manifest,  and  we  now  hope  to  be  able  to  resist 
attacks  that  cannot  be  more  serious  than  those  of 


THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW  OF  DEATH.  33 


the  past  three  days.  God  grant  that  we  may  have 
enough  provision,  and  that  the  army  of  relief  may  not 
be  too  long  in  coming ! 

Monday , June  25th.  — The  night,  like  the  morning, 
was  comparatively  calm,  but  it  seems  that  a great 
battle  is  being  fought  on  the  side  of  the  Legations  ; 
the  cannon  of  yesterday  are  silent  behind  their 
intrenchments.  We  sustain  well  a hail  of  projectiles 
sent  by  guns  on  the  ramparts : we  have  become 
accustomed  to  so  much  noise  during  the  past  three 
days  that  we  hardly  pay  any  more  attention  to  it. 
The  Boxers  have  placed  mannikins  on  the  roofs  of 
the  houses  ; this  childish  stratagem  does  not  make 
us  waste  ammunition.  There  remain  275  cartridges 
to  each  man,  and  they  will  not  be  put  to  other  than 
good  use. 

Tuesday , June  26th.  — The  Boxers  have  set  fire  to 
all  the  houses  which  adjoin  us,  and  are  working  back 
of  the  imperial  wall,  where  they  are  placing  ladders 
and  scaffolding,  so  as  to  be  able  to  shoot  more  con- 
veniently. They  are  firing  on  us  from  all  sides,  but 
no  one  has  been  struck.  In  the  afternoon  there  was 
a hard  fight  on  the  side  of  the  Legations. 

Wednesday , June  27th.  — Since  six  o’clock  in  the 
morning  the  Boxers  have  been  again  attacking  us  on 
the  south ; they  have  entered  our  street  with  a large 
red  flag,  thinking  perhaps  that  our  post  at  the  gate  of 
entrance  had  been  destroyed  during  the  bombardment 
of  the  preceding  days.  Like  the  first  time  they  were 
put  to  flight  by  well-directed  volleys ; they  were 


34 


THE  HEARZ  OF  PEKIN. 


chased  in  pursuit,  and  the  arms  which  they  threw 
down  have  been  collected.  In  this  sortie  of  scarcely 
one  hundred  yards,  the  second  mate  was  unfortu- 
nately wounded  by  a shot  in  the  shoulder.  From 
the  tops  of  houses,  ladders,  and  scaffolding,  the  enemy 
has  covered  our  courts  and  porches  with  shot  for 
more  than  six  hours  ; a young  girl  has  been  killed, 
and  a woman  wounded  in  the  head.  About  eleven 
o’clock  in  the  evening  we  were  surprised  by  a large 
band  of  Boxers  throwing  explosive  bombs  and  burn- 
ing arrows  against  our  Great  Gate,  which,  at  the  same 
time,  they  wet  with  petroleum,  by  means  of  fire- 
pumps  stolen  by  them.  During  this  time  the 
regular  soldiers  rained  a shower  of  balls  from  their 
Mauser  rifles.  Everybody  is  behaving  well.  The 
Great  Gate  is  saved,  and  only  one  Christian  has  been 
wounded.  Our  marines  are  truly  admirable;  they  all 
wear  a scapular  and  a crucifix,  and  feel  themselves 
protected  by  God. 

Thursday , June  28th.  — After  a calm  enough  day, 
we  suffered  a vigorous  attack  at  six  o’clock  in  the 
evening,  and  counted  as  many  as  42  gun-shots  to 
the  minute  ; terrible  night.  The  Boxers  began  anew 
their  attack  against  the  Great  Gate.  Our  people, 
infuriated,  decided  about  midnight  to  venture  a 
sortie.  They  threw  themselves  on  the  Boxers,  who 
wet  us  with  petroleum  at  a distance  of  less  than 
thirty  yards.  Ten  Boxers  were  killed,  the  others  put 
to  flight ; two  petroleum  pumps,  powder,  shot,  and 
even  several  chests  of  clothing,  were  captured.  De-' 


THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW  OF  DEATH.  35 


spite  the  terrible  discharges  from  the  regular  soldiers, 
the  most  dangerous  houses  were  set  afire.  The 
pumps  taken  still  contained  about  twenty-five  gallons 
of  petroleum  apiece  ! 

Friday , June  29th , Feast  of  SS.  Feter  and  Paul.  — 
We  offered  our  congratulations  to  the  brave  com- 
mander, Paul  Henry ; we  spoke  of  Angers,  his  coun- 
try, and  the  happiness  of  his  parents  upon  seeing 
him  again.  He  said  to  us,  “ You  will  see  that  we 
will  save  the  Pei-t’ang;  perhaps  some  of  us  will  be 
no  more ; I shall  be.  happy  to  die  in  so  worthy  a 
cause  ; I hope  that  God  will  open  Paradise  to  me. 
If  I am  to  die,  I shall  not  die  until  you  no  longer 
need  me,”  etc. 

I implored  him,  as  on  every  day,  not  to  expose 
himself.  I fear  for  him,  he  is  so  brave,  so  full  of 
courage,  so  devoted. 

It  seems  as  though  the  Boxers  intend  to  leave  us 
this  day  of  joy ; apart  from  the  balls  which  are  put- 
ting holes  in  our  windows  or  flattening  against  the 
walls  as  usual,  all  is  quiet,  and  we  are  not  called  upon 
to  sustain  any  serious  attack.  At  ten  o’clock  in  the 
evening  a frightful  storm  broke,  and  the  thunder 
seemed  to  fall  on  the  palace ; nevertheless,  heavy 
firing  on  the  side  of  the  Legations. 

Saturday , June  30th.  — The  morning  was  saddened 
by  the  death  of  the  poor  second  mate,  Joannic  ; we  be- 
lieved him  saved,  when  his  wounds  gangrened,  and 
occasioned  his  death  in  a few  hours.  Alas ! we  had 
neither  doctor  nor  surgeon.  He  died  like  a brave 
Breton,  fortified  by  all  the  sacraments. 


36 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN . 


At  half-past  eleven  we  were  surprised  to  see  our- 
selves again  bombarded ; a dozen  bombs  of  very  large 
caliber  burst  in  the  air  without  harming  any  one.  At 
the  end  of  a quarter  of  an  hour,  this  cannonading, 
accompanied  by  heavy  firing  from  the  east,  ceased  all 
of  a sudden.  What  did  it  mean?  I saw  on  the 
mountain  of  the  White  Tower,  in  the  midst  of  the 
lakes  of  the  palace,  twelve  hundred  yards  from  us, 
twenty  persons  magnificently  clothed.  It  was  thought 
that  Prince  Tuan,  the  Empress,  and  other  high  per- 
sonages, had  come  to  look  on -the  bombardment  as 
upon  a display  of  fireworks.  Our  marines  had  a great 
desire  to  send  a discharge  from  their  Lebels  on  this 
group,  but  I thought  I should  keep  them  from  doing 
so  in  order  not  to  excite  an  already  too  violent  hatred. 

At  half-past  five  we  buried  the  second  mate,  very 
simply  and  quickly,  in  our  garden,  for  balls  rained 
mercilessly  around  those  present.  Our  brave  Chris- 
tians are  all  saddened,  and  say,  “ Why  not  one  hun- 
dred of  us  dead  instead  of  this  brave  seaman  ? ” 

Sunday , July  1st.  — About  eight  o’clock  we  heard 
a number  of  cannon-shots  in  the  south ; are  they  the 
reinforcements  ? We  still  hope  against  all  hope. 
For  the  first  time  we  begin  to  eat  asses’  flesh ; mules 
and  horses  will  follow ; there  are  eighteen  of  them. 
Smallpox  has  broken  out  among  the  children;  seven 
to  eight  are  dying  every  day. 

Monday , Jidy  2d. — The  attacks  are  less  lively 
than  on  preceding  days,  but  the  food  is  very  bad ; 
no  more  vegetables,  no  more  salted  herbs,  for  our 


THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW  OF  DEATH.  37 


poor  Christians ; they  commenced  to  lose  spirit ; heat, 
38°  C.,  atmosphere  damp;  no  news  for  twelve  days. 
What  a long  time  ! 

Tuesday , July  3d.  — A very  heavy  rain  disturbs 
us  greatly.  If  the  rainy  season  has  already  com- 
menced, all  hope  of  deliverance  must  be  abandoned. 
As  every  one  knows,  everybody  smokes  in  China. 
We  have  no  more  tobacco;  our  people  are  making  it 
with  leaves  from  pear-trees,  dried  and  powdered. 
Mortality  is  on  the  increase ; we  are  now  burying  as 
many  as  fifteen  children  a day. 

Wednesday , July  Jfth. — This  morning  the  Lega- 
tions were  more  severely  attacked.  About  midday 
we  saw  the  soldiers  and  Boxers  erecting  a large  plat- 
form of  earth  to  the  north  of  the  Yellow  Wall;  they 
evidently  want  to  place  their  cannon  so  as  to  bombard 
us  from  the  rear,  at  eight  hundred  yards.  Our  gun- 
ners struck  down  twelve  of  these  bandits. 

At  five  o’clock  in  the  evening  the  Boxers  again 
appeared  opposite  our  Great  Gate.  The  cannon  which 
we  had  taken  was  loaded  and  pointed ; the  Chinese 
artilleryman,  a Christian  formerly  in  the  army  of 
Prince  Tuan,  fired  without  orders  and  much  too  soon; 
the  enemy  fled,  with  only  a few  wounded.  Christian 
watchmakers  who  have  taken  refuge  amongst  us, 
make  excellent  Lebel,  Mauser,  and  other  cartridges ; 
we  shall  not,  therefore,  lack  ammunition. 

Thursday , July  5th.  — We  have  been  able  to  manu- 
facture powder  for  the  cannon  taken  from  the  enemy, 
and  placed  to  protect  the  Sisters,  so  as  to  return  the 


38 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


fire  that  threatens  ns  from  the  north ; but  it  is  very 
little  compared  with  those  who  are  firing  against  us. 
During  the  whole  day  we  were  aimed  at  from  the 
south  of  the  Yellow  Wall,  without  any  serious  result. 

Friday,  July  6th.  — We  begin  to  fear  famine. 
Rice,  wheat,  beans,  millet  — all  is  weighed  exactly  ; 
the  total  is  better  than  we  had  hoped,  — nearly  sixty 
thousand  pounds.  With  a pound  to  a person  a day, 
we  are  safe  for  twenty  days  : at  the  end  of  that  time 
we  shall  have  surrendered  or  been  delivered.  At 
five  o’clock  in  the  evening  an  unusual  noise  was 
heard : it  was  a fuse  hurled  at  the  church,  which  went 
through  a window,  leaving  a long  train  of  fire  in  its 
wake.  We  picked  it  up  ; it  was  composed  of  a tube 
about  two  feet  long,  of  hammered  copper,  tipped  with 
a strong  triangular  point ; the  end  is  formed  of  a 
wooden  handle  about  ten  feet  long.  These  fuses  go 
through  a roof  as  easily  as  a loaded  ball,  and,  besides, 
are  a great  menace  of  fire. 

Saturday,  July  7th.  — Since  half-past  four  in  the 
morning,  the  Boxers  have  thrown  explosives  on  our 
roof  for  two  hours.  More  than  two  hundred  and  fifty 
of  these  projectiles  have  ignited,  but  our  precautions 
were  well  planned ; casks,  bathing-tubs,  buckets  full 
of  water ; men  provided  with  hooks  and  pumps,  were 
ready,  and  the  fire  did  not  spread.  As  six  o’clock  the 
cannon  on  the  north  was  discharged,  and  at  first  sent 
simple  balls  against  us.  We  answered  by  a full 
volley  and  several  shots  from  our  set  cannon.  The 
Tartars,  surprised,  quickly  changed  their  cannon,  and 


THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW  OF  DEATH.  39 


replaced  it  by  a Krupp  gun.  The  first  shell  blew  our 
gunner  to  pieces ; the  position  became  untenable  ; all 
the  structures  to  the  west  of  Jeu-tse-t’ang  are  bored 
through.  Moreover,  during  the  whole  day  several 
hundreds  of  fuses  were  thrown  on  our  roofs.  This 
day  is  one  of  the  most  disastrous  of  the  siege.  Toward 
evening  only,  shells  were  replaced  by  Chinese  bombs, 
many  of  which  did  not  explode ; total,  three  hundred 
and  sixty  cannon-shots  in  twelve  hours.  But  one  of 
our  number  was  killed  and  several  were  wounded. 
Without  miraculous  protection  all  would  have  been 
in  flames  to-day. 

Sunday , July  8th.  — Since  morning,  we  have 
strengthened  the  places  weakened  by  the  cannonad- 
ing of  the  preceding  day  ; but  the  bombardment  be- 
gan again,  more  lively  than  before,  at  nine  oclock  ; 
at  first,  simple  balls,  then  shells.  The  clock  tower 
is  completely  demolished.  Total,  one  hundred  and 
two  cannon  shots  and  new  fuses,  which  like  those  of 
the  day  before,  did  not  set  fire  to  anything. 

Monday , July  9th. — At  five  o’clock  in  the  morn- 
ing, the  Boxers  again  began  to  throw  explosives ; 
intense  firing  all  day,  and  one  hundred  and  seven 
cannon  shots ; only  two  Christians  were  wounded. 
We  are  beginning  to  be  somewhat  fatigued  and  dis- 
quieted, especially  as  the  enemy  is  preparing,  it 
seems  to  bombard  us  from  the  south  and  the  west. 
From  eleven  till  midnight,  we  heard  a terrible  battle 
on  the  side  of  the  legations. 

Tuesday , July  10th.  — After  a tranquil  morning, 


40 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


fighting  was  renewed  at  ten  o’clock ; the  cannon  on 
the  north  continued  to  demolish  ; at  two  o’clock,  the 
attack  became  more  vigorous  ; two  enormous  pieces  of 
artillery  set  on  the  south  wrought  much  damage  to 
our  Great  Gate  and  the  church.  A full  volley  silenced 
them  for  an  instant,  but  the  Chinese  artillerymen  pro- 
tected their  gunners  by  iron  masks.  At  the  Great 
Gate,  the  sailor  David  received  a ball  in  the  head, 
dying  a half  hour  afterwards,  fortified  by  the  sac- 
raments. But  five  men  remain  at  this  dangerous 
post ; the  others  have  taken  refuge  in  the  casemates ; 
one  hundred  and  seven  loaded  balls,  twenty-five 
pounds  each,  have  been  fired ; one  of  these,  after 
having  blown  the  windows  of  our  room  into  pieces, 
fell  on  the  bed  which  I had  just  left.  Still  another 
miracle  ! We  no  longer  count  them. 

Wednesday , Jidy  11th. — A casemate  has  given 
way ; it  is  being  speedily  repaired  despite  the  firing. 
A Mauser  ball  has  passed  through  the  hat  of  Bishop 
Jarlin  ; a hair-breadth  below,  and  I should  have  had 
no  coadjutor.  The  Blessed  Virgin  has  saved  the  be- 
loved and  brave  bishop. 

The  bombardment  began  again  at  half-past  one; 
a few  minutes  afterwards  a fearful  explosion  shook 
all  our  buildings.  A column  of  earth  and  stones  is 
being  raised  over  thirty  yards  high  to  the  east  of 
Jen-tse-t’ang.  We  all  flee  to  it.  Fortunately,  the 
mine  was  not  carried  far  enough,  and  we  have  es- 
caped with  a few  damaged  houses,  that  can  be 
propped;  one  killed  and  several  wounded.  We  thank 


THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW  OF  DEATH.  41 


God.  The  bombardment  continues ; a shell  has 
fallen  in  the  chapel  of  the  sisters,  on  the  benches 
which  they  have  just  left  to  go  to  supper. 

During  the  night,  we  set  fire  to  houses  which  the 
Boxers  occupied  only  yesterday  ; we  found  twenty 
casks  of  petroleum,  some  swords  and  guns,  which  are 
burning  with  the  other  things. 

Thursday , July  12th.  — The  morning  of  this  day 
was  so  quiet  that  we  thought  the  soldiers  had  left. 
But,  about  half-past  ten,  enormous  balls  commenced 
to  rain  down  on  us  until  six  o’clock  in  the  evening. 
Sent  at  long  intervals  apart,  but  fifty  reached  their 
aim ; that  is  to  say,  our  Great  Gate,  which  is  now  in 
a deplorable  condition. 

Friday , July  13th.  — The  fear  of  mines  decided 
us  to  undertake  an  exploration  about  two  o’clock  in 
the  morning.  Several  holes  were  found  and  filled  in, 
that  were  beginnings  of  mines  in  which  rolls  of 
electric  wire  had  been  placed,  evidently  intended  to 
set  off  the  powder.  At  midday,  the  firing  of  cannon 
began  again.  A sailor  was  'seriously  wounded  in 
the  head  by  splintering  bricks  ; another  was  sadly 
bruised.  From  seven  till  nine  o’clock  in  the  evening 
bombarding  and  firing  on  the  side  of  legations. 

Saturday , July  llfth.  — Several  Christians  are  going 
to  set  fire  to  the  houses  which  interfere  with  the 
shooting  from  the  Great  Gate.  At  Jen-tse-t’ang, 
about  eleven  o’clock,  an  Italian  marine  was  killed  by 
a shot  in  the  head.  A Christian,  who  wanted  to  find 
out  whence  the  fire  came,  was  likewise  killed.  Ex- 


42 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


cepting  a few  hundred  gun-shots,  the  day  has  been 
quiet  enough. 

Sunday,  July  15th.  — One  would  suppose  that  the 
Chinese  artillerymen  had  repented  their  not  bom- 
barding us  yesterday  ; from  nine  in  the  morning  they 
recommenced  their  work  of  destruction ; the  cannon 
on  the  south  and  south-west  wrought  the  greatest 
damage  at  the  Great  Gate  and  to  the  church ; only 
one  hundred  and  forty  shots  during  the  day,  and 
they  continued  during  the  night.  Fresh  nocturnal 
exploration  ; two  unfinished  mines  were  again  dis- 
covered and  destroyed. 

Monday,  July  16th.  — The  Boxers  continue  to 
throw  explosives  without  effect.  From  nine  o’clock 
in  the  morning  till  ten  in  the  evening,  they  sent  hun- 
dreds of  balls  against  us.  One  Christian  woman 
has  been  killed ; a sailor  has  been  wounded  in  both 
eyes  by  the  splintering  of  bricks : one  is  certainly 
lost. 

Tuesday,  July  17th.  — This  day  has  been  the  most 
quiet,  perhaps,  of  the  siege ; no  cannon-shots  and 
scarcely  and  from  guns.  It  seems  as  though  the 
Boxers  are  preparing  a scheme.  We  have  begun  a 
novena  to  Saint  Ann,  patroness  of  our  brave  JBretons. 
Our  beloved  commander  Henry  will  present  the  ex- 
voto  which  we  have  promised  if  we  are  delivered. 

Wednesday,  July  18th.  — We  are  energetically 
pushing  the  work  of  a counter-mine  already  begun, 
because,  for  some  days,  we  have  been  hearing  heavy 
blows  on  the  west  side  of  Jen-tse-t’ang  under  the 


THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW  OF  DEATH.  43 


Yellow  Wall.  About  eleven  o’clock  we  ascertained 
that  our  enemies  were  moving  away  on  the  side  of  the 
Pagoda  of  the  lamas  which  adjoins  us  on  the  east. 
Pifty  vehicles  are  transporting  the  chests  and  bundles 
of  Boxers  and  soldiers.  Is  the  army  of  relief  ap- 
proaching, or  do  the  lamas  think  that  the  neighbor- 
hood is  going  to  be.  blown  up  ? Mystery  ! 

Alas ! the  second  supposition  is  true.  At  five 
o’clock,  mine  explosion  — twenty-five  dead,  twenty- 
eight  wounded.  The  whole  part  west  of  Jen-tse-t’ang 
in  ruins  ! We  make  a rush,  expecting  attack  from 
the  Boxers  ; they  did  not  come.  Unfortunately  we 
number  among  the  dead  Brother  Joseph,  a Marist, 
who  led  the  workmen  of  the  counter-mine,  a young 
man,  twenty-five  years  of  age,  as  pious  as  he  was 
brave,  loved  and  lamented  by  all.  The  explosion 
occasioned  a panic,  and  subterranean  noises  were 
supposed  to  be  heard  everywhere.  Women  and  chil- 
dren ran  about,  frightened  to  death,  and,  despite  the 
danger,  most  of  them  took  refuge  in  the  cathedral, 
which  occupies  the  central  site  of  our  buildings. 

Thursday , July  19th , Feast  of  St.  Vincent.  — Burial 
of  Brother  Joseph ; exchange  of  fire  with  Boxers. 
The  marine  Franc,  who  exposed  himself  too  much, 
received  a ball  in  his  head,  and  died  almost  instantly. 
He  lived  just  long  enough  to  receive  absolution. 

Friday , July  20tli.  — Our  Christians  are  again  going 
to  burn  the  most  dangerous  houses  ; about  six  o’clock 
the  Boxers,  on  their  part,  set  fire  to  a house  south  of 
our  Great  Gate.  Work  on  the  mine  where  the  Sisters 


44 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


were  was  continued  ; we  need  not  urge  our  Christians 
to  work  ; they  have  not  forgotten  the  catastrophe  of 
the  18th. 

Saturday , July  21st . — Provisions  are  beginning  to 
get  low ; with  great  economy  they  will  last  fifteen 
days.  The  attempt  was  made  to  get  some  from  a 
small  store  only  two  hundred  yards  distant;  but 
stopped  by  soldiers  and  Boxers,  our  Christians  re- 
turned empty-handed. 

Sunday , July  22d.  — Tiring  continued  all  night ; 
the  enemy  evidently  fears  that  we  are  going  for  pro- 
visions ; two  Christians  have  been  wounded,  and  one 
sailor  lost  his  left  eye  by  a ball  that  lodged  back  of 
the  ear.  One  of  our  Chinese  sighted  the  Boxers 
digging  a large  ditch  back  of  the  Yellow  Wall.  Four 
men  ascended  the  ladders,  the  barrels  of  their  guns 
well-filled,  and  shot  down  twenty  of  the  enemy,  as 
well  as  two  mandarins.  In  the  evening,  diluvian 
rain ; the  casemates  are  uninhabitable. 

Monday , July  23d.  — After  a half-day's  quiet,  we 
were  attacked  in  the  afternoon  at  four  o’clock  by 
several  thousand  Boxers,  and  as  many  regular  sol- 
diers, called  together  by  tam-tams  and  trumpets  that 
sounded  without  interruption. 

The  attack  was  made  simultaneously  on  the  north, 
east,  and  south.  The  death  of  several  marines  and 
the  serious  wounds  of  some  others  deprived  us  of  five 
guns.  We  had  trained  and  drilled  so  many  of  the 
Marist  Brothers  and  Chinese  students  of  the  seminary 
not  in  orders,  so  that  our  thirty  Lebel  guns  were  all 


THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW  OF  DEATH.  45 

in  constant  use,  besides  the  ten  Italians  defending  the 
Sisters.  The  attack  was  extremely  vigorous.  Boxers, 
lamas,  and  regular  soldiers,  to  the  number  of  more 
than  one  thousand,  tried  to  scale  the  wall.  They  left 
one  hundred  and  fifty  dead  on  the  ground,  and  took 
to  flight.  Enraged,  the  soldiers  of  Prince  Tuan  dis- 
charged all  their  ammunition  on  the  side  of  our 
Grand  Gate,  and,  without  exaggeration,  during  one 
hour  sent  five  thousand  Mauser  bullets  that  did  not 
wound  a single  one  of  us.  The  trumpets  then  sounded 
a retreat,  and  we  were  left  undisturbed.  It  was  nine 
o’clock  in  the  evening. 

Tuesday,  July  — In  the  north-east  near  the 

Pagoda  we  see  a number  of  Boxers  wearing  yellow 
turbans  and  belts.  These  are  the  brigade  of  lamas. 
They  carry  a Erench  flag.  This  puerile  ruse  makes 
us  laugh  despite  the  sadness  of  the  hour.  About 
half-past  four  tam-tams  again  united  the  Boxers,  and 
we  anticipated  an  attack  which  did  not  take  place. 
Yesterday’s  iesson  was  profitable.  Three  Christians 
were  wounded  during  the  day,  and  a new  mine  dis- 
covered on  the  south.  From  the  top  of  the  church 
large  numbers  of  flags  were  seen,  and  at  night  as 
many  lanterns  on  the  walls  of  the  city. 

Wednesday , July  25th.  — Quiet  enough  day.  Our 
Christians  went  out  and  burned  several  embattled 
houses  without  being  disturbed.  The  Boxers  dug 
very  deep  trenches  back  of  the  Yellow  Wall;  we  do 
not  know  why.  Our  marines  killed  a dozen  of  these 
brigands. 


46 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


Thursday , July  26th.  — At  one  o’clock  very  lond 
explosion.  An  exploded  mine  was  the  first  thought 
of  all,  and  every  one  ran  to  his  post.  It  was  nothing. 
A bold  Boxer  had  carried  a large  bomb  to  our  eastern 
wall,  and  it  exploded  without  doing  any  damage.  At 
three  o’clock  Bather  Chavanne,  a Lazarist  priest, 
died  almost  suddenly.  A few  days  before  he  had 
been  wounded  on  guard  at  his  post  by  a ball  probably 
poisoned,  since  it  brought  on  black  smallpox  which 
caused  his  death. 

Friday , July  27th.  — We  hear  very  severe  cannon- 
ading distinctly  on  the  south  and  east ; we  always 
hope  to  see  the  army  coming.  Several  fuses  thrown 
at  night  made  us  think  that  the  Legations  are  com- 
municating by  signals  with  troops  outside  of  the 
city.  What  is  hoped  for  is  easily  believed.  . . . 

Saturday , July  28th. — We  are  again  very  seri- 
ously concerned  about  provisions  ; we  have  fixed  the 
rations  at  eight  ounces  a day  for  a person.  We  can 
thus  survive  ten  days.  Cannon  were  again  heard 
about  ten  o’clock.  One  was  set  only  100  yards  away 
from  Jen-tse-t’ang ; the  gunners  were  quickly  shot 
down,  but  the  cannon  was  moved  farther  away  and 
sent  75  projectiles  against  us.  The  enemy  seem  to 
be  short  of  ammunition,  and  are  loading  their  cannon 
with  almost  anything,  even  stones.  During  the 
night  we  received  35  bombs  and  numberless  shots 
frojn  guns  on  the  ramparts. 

Sunday , July  29tli.  — The  bombardment  continues  ; 
the  soldiers  have  shot  off  115  filled  balls,  and  bullets 


THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW  OF  DEATH.  47 


have  been  so  numerous  that  all  our  battlements  are 
demolished ; three  Christians  were  killed. 

Monday,  July  30th.  — The  night  was  bad  ; they 
continued  to  fire  on  Jen-tse-t’ang.  From  seven 
o’clock  in  the  morning,  the  cannon  commenced  their 
work,  assisted  by  heavy  firing  on  the  part  of  regular 
soldiers.  Commander  Henry  is  descending  the  break 
with  twelve  men;  Boxers  enter  in  large  numbers, 
carrying  fagots  wet  with  petroleum,  which  they  light 
against  the  northern  wall. 

Commander  Henry  multiplies  himself ; several  hun- 
dreds of  the  Boxers  have  been  killed  ; unfortunately, 
two  sailors  were  wounded  by  a ball  which  entered 
the  commander’s  neck.  He  then  descended  from  the 
scaffolding,  and  received  a second  mauser  bullet  in 
his  side.  Notwithstanding  these  two  mortal  wounds, 
he  still  kept  up ; finally  he  succumbed  under  the 
veranda,  in  the  arms  of  a priest,  who  administered 
the  last  Sacraments  to  him.  At  the  end  of  twenty 
minutes,  he  died  as  a brave  soldier  and  good  Chris- 
tian. We  shed  tears  but  once  during  the  siege,  and  it 
was  on  this  day.  Never  before  have  we  been  so  low 
down  ; the  simple  quartermaster  Elias  took  command 
of  the  detachment;  but  Bishop  Jarlin  is  there  to 
watch  over  our  Bretons,  who  cry  like  children  over 
the  death  of  their  leader.  One  hundred  and  fifty 
shots  from  cannon  were  fired  during  the  day.  One 
hope  is  left  to  us  ; the  commander  had  told  us,  “ I 
shall  not  die  until  you  no  longer  need  me.”  He 
will  protect  us  from  Heaven  with  St.  Mauritius  and 
St.  George,  whom  he  has  joined. 


48 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


Tuesday , July  31st.  — The  Boxers  have  sent  arrows 
against  ns,  to  which  writings  of  similar  character 
have  been  attached.  They  contain  about  what 
follows  : — 

“ You,  Christians,  shut  up  in  the  Pei-tang,  reduced 
to  the  greatest  misery,  eating  leaves  of  trees,  why  do 
you  resist  with  so  much  animosity  when  you  are 
no  longer  able  to  do  so  ? We  have  leveled  cannon 
and  set  mines  against  you,  and  you  will  be  destroyed 
in  a short  time.  You  have  been  deceived  by  the 
devils  of  Europe ; return  to  the  ancient  religion  of 
1 Eono,’  deliver  up  Bishop  Favier  and  the  others,  and 
you  will  have  saved  your  lives,  and  we  will  give  you 
to  eat.  If  you  do  not  do  so,  you,  your  wives  and 
children,  will  all  be  cut  into  pieces.” 

It  is  needless  to  say  that  not  one  of  our  brave  Chris- 
tians was  so  much  as  tempted  to  accept  these  offers, 
and  yet  each  received  but  ten  ounces  of  food  a day. 

To-day  eighty  shots  from  cannon  were  fired  against 
us  without  much  damage,  excepting  to  our  roofs, 
which  are  nearly  all  riddled. 

Wednesday , August  1st.  — Since  six  o’clock  in  the 
morning  the  Boxers  have  returned  to  the  north ; they 
are  only  three  to  four  hundred  in  number.  They 
were  quickly  routed  ; at  least  fifty  were  killed. 

A short  time  afterwards  we  heard  on  the  side  of 
the  Pagoda  of  the  lamas,  cries  and  firing.  It  seems 
that  there  was  a quarrel  between  the  Boxers  and  the 
soldiers,  and  that  the  latter  killed  some  of  their 
opponents. 


THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW  OF  DEATH . 49 


Thursday , August  2d. — We  are  lessening  our 
own  rations  and  those  of  our  Christians  ; weakness  is 
general.  We  have  only  just  enough  to  keep  us  from 
starving  to  death.  The  dogs  that  are  feeding  on  the 
dead  bodies  of  Boxers  are  hunted,  killed,  and  eaten ; 
our  unfortunate  people  are  adding  this  miserable 
food  to  leaves  of  trees  and  roots  of  all  kinds.  The 
time  for  the  rainy  season  has  come  long  since,  but  no 
rain  falls.  God  has  left  the  roads  passable  for  the 
army  of  relief. 

Friday , August  3d.  — It  seems  as  though  we  are 
no  longer  watched,  shots  are  so  rare.  There  is  even 
some  talk  of  venturing  a sortie  at  two  o’clock  in  the 
morning  in  quest  of  grain ; but  for  this  we  would  be 
obliged  to  expose  the  lives  of  two-thirds  of  our 
marines  ; we  shall  not  do  so  until  there  is  absolutely 
nothing  more  to  eat  in  the  house. 

Saturday , August  5th.  — As  usual,  for  four  days 
we  have  been  left  undisturbed  during  the  day ; but  at 
night  severe  firing  always  begins  again.  The  Boxers 
and  regulars  know  that  we  are  in  the  very  last 
extremity  of  need,  and  are  trying  to  keep  us  from 
going  out.  Urged  on  by  hunger,  several  Christians 
escaped,  entered  burned  houses,  and  brought  back  a 
little  burned  rice  found  among  the  rubbish ; it  is  very 
sad. 

Sunday , August  5th . — The  question  of  food  is  the 
only  one  that  now  engages  our  attention : we  can 
resist  balls,  bullets,  and  bombs,  but  we  can  make  no 
resistance  against  famine.  We  have  carefully  weighed 


50 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


all  that  there  is  to  eat ; the  total  a*mount  is  7,000 
pounds.  It  is  decided  to  distribute  1,000  pounds  a 
day  among  3,000  persons.  Thus  we  can  survive  seven 
days.  We  fervently  hope  that  the  army  of  relief 
will  arrive  this  week.  God  has  granted  us  such 
strong  protection  until  now. 

Monday , August  6th.  — A few  Christians,  unable  to 
suffer  the  pangs  of  hunger  any  longer,  again  ventured 
out ; three  were  captured  by  the  Boxers,  who  led  them 
away  to  be  cut  into  pieces.  To  this  sad  occurrence 
another  is  added  : the  sailor  on  duty  at  the  Great 
Gate  has  had  his  right  eye  shot  out.  There  are  already 
three  among  our  poor  soldiers  blind  in  one  eye  ! 

Tuesday , August  7th.  — Severe  cannonading  has 
been  heard  in  the  distance.  Soldiers  and  Boxers  are 
attacking  us  feebly.  This  makes  us  hope  that  the 
army  is  approaching ; but  our  Christians  are  so  weak- 
ened that  they  are  sleeping  under  the  verandas,  thin, 
pale,  and  as  if  in  a faint.  If  the  enemy  were  to  attempt 
an  assault  upon  our  five  hundred  armed  men  of  the 
start,  hardly  twenty-five  would  be  in  a condition  to 
repulse  them. 

Wednesday , August  8th.  — Always  the  same  quiet, 
without  a total  cessation  of  firing.  A Christian  gath- 
ering leaves  on  a tree  was  struck  by  a ball,  and  fell 
like  a poor  bird  pierced  by  an  arrow. 

Thursday , August  9th.  — We  are  constantly  on  the 
watch,  as  the  Boxers  have  promised  that  we  shall  all 
perish ; in  face  of  the  danger,  east  of  the  Great  Gate 
is  being  explored.  One  Christian  has  been  killed,  and 


THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW  OF  DEATH.  51 


two  have  been  wounded,  but  a mine  was  discovered, 
and  just  in  time  to  be  destroyed. 

Friday , August  10th.  — We  acknowledge  with  terror 
that  in  two  days  our  provisions  will  be  exhausted ; we 
have  set  aside  four  hundred  pounds  of  rice  and  a mule, 
so  that  our  defenders  may  survive  ten  days. 

The  question  was  proposed  whether  anything  shall 
be  reserved  for  ourselves  and  the  Sisters.  The  answer 
was  unanimous,  — “No:  we  shall  die  with  our  Chris- 
tians.” Some  one,  however,  remarked  that  we  de- 
served greater  pity  than  the  poor  people,  since  they 
could  eat  the  leaves  of  trees,  and  we  could  not.  It 
was  then  decided  that  a two-pound  loaf  of  bread 
should  be  given  to  each  one  of  us.  This  last  reserve 
was  kept  in  our  rooms. 

The  rations  have  been  reduced  to  two  ounces  per 
person.  Six  days  are  thus  assured ; but  what  days ! 
Still  water  is  plenty,  and  with  it,  life  can  be  preserved 
some  time. 

At  midday  the  cannon  on  the  north  was  again  fired 
against  us,  as  well  as  that  on  the  east,  — only  fifty  balls, 
however.  The  aim  is  poor.  The  Boxers,  inexpe- 
rienced, are  handling  the  pieces.  About  three  o’clock 
a captive  balloon  was  seen  on  the  south : our  confidence 
increases. 

Saturday , August  11th.  — Sixty  shots  from  cannon, 
to-day  again.  Instead  of  balls  they  are  firing  any- 
thing at  all,  — old  iron,  nails,  stones,  even  brick.  In 
the  evening,  we  discovered  and  destroyed  another 
mine  on  the  south  of  the  Great  Gate. 


52 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN, 


Sunday , August  12th.  — At  quarter-past  six  in  the 
morning,  violent  explosion,  a mine  more  terrible  than 
the  others  burst  where  the  Sisters  were.  All,  at 
once,  ran  to  the  scene.  Happily,  most  of  the  chil- 
dren and  religious  were  at  Mass  in  the  chapel,  other- 
wise half  would  have  perished.  The  damage  done  is 
fearful ; all  the  eastern  part  of  Jen-tse-t’ang  is  a heap 
of  rubbish.  A hollow  seven  yards  deep  and  forty  in 
diameter  marks  the  place  of  explosion.  Five  Italian 
marines  and  their  officer  disappeared ; more  than 
eighty  Christians,  including  fifty-one  children  in  the 
cradle,  have  been  buried  forever  under  this  ruin. 
Notwithstanding  a shower  of  balls,  we  go  to  help  the 
wounded. 

Brother  Julius  Andrew,  Visitor  of  the  Marist 
Brothers,  met  his  death  in  trying  to  save  a half- 
buried  woman.  He  was  a man  of  great  courage,  who, 
during  the  whole  siege,  manifested  intelligence,  devo- 
tion, and  bravery  beyond  compare. 

The  French  marines,  who  at  once  appeared  on  the 
scene  of  disaster,  killed  fifty  Boxers  that  tried  to 
force  an  entrance;  the  others  took  to  flight.  Until 
evening  we  worked  trying  to  save  the  buried.  We 
rescued  Mr.  Olivieri,  commander  of  the  Italian  de- 
tachment; he  is  covered  with  bruises,  but  he  will  be 
spared.  Of  his  five  marines,  two  were  discovered  liv- 
ing, but  their  wounds  leave  no  ground  for  hope.  A 
post  of  French  marines  is  stationed  at  Jen-tse-t’ang 
with  some  seminarians  to  defend,  in  case  of  need,  the 
break,  which  is  eighty  yards  long.  Since  eight  o’clock 


THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW  OF  DEATH.  53 


in  the  morning  the  cannonading  has  not  ceased;  we 
have  received  more  than  one  hundred  projectiles. 
We  are  at  the  very  last  extremity. 

Monday , August  12th.  — All  are  suffering  very 
much  from  famine;  despondency  is  general,  but  the 
repeated  firing  of  cannon  heard  in  the  distance  leaves 
us  a little  hope.  At  eleven  o’clock  a new  mine  ex- 
ploded in  Jen-tse-t’ang ; thanks  be  to  God!  it  was  not 
carried  far  enough,  and  the  damage  done  is  compara- 
tively insignificant. 

In  the  evening  we  heard  the  Boxers  cry,  “The 
devils  from  Europe  are  approaching : we  will  die  if 
we  must,  but  yon  shall  perish  before  ns.” 

At  four  o’clock  in  the  evening  the  brave  marine, 
Bobours,  was  killed  at  his  post  by  being  shot  in  the 
forehead.  We  have  only  enough  food  to  last  two 
days,  and  what  food  ! 

Tuesday , August  llfth.  — A terrible  battle  is  being 
fought  on  the  south-east ; we  hear  cannon,  mitrail- 
leuses and  volleys,  fron  the  top  of  the  church ; the 
Chinese  flags  are  seen  to  disappear  from  the  walls. 
At  eleven  o’clock  the  bombardment  is  stronger;  we 
see  fugitives  making  their  escape,  people  who  are 
moving  away.  Despite  the  balls  sent  against  ns 
from  all  sides,  hope  reigns  in  our  hearts.  We  are 
again  able  to  speak,  smiles  come  to  our  lips,  for  the 
army  of  relief  is  evidently  attacking  Pekin.  At  five 
o’clock  in  the  evening  we  see  at  a long  distance  five 
strange  officers  on  the  walls  and  a marine  signaling  to 
the  east ; not  far  from  there,  an  American  flag  is 


54 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


waving.  Until  nine  o’clock  missiles  are  multiplied; 
we  see  two  to  three  hundred  wounded  Chinese  carried 
away. 

Wednesday , August  15th,  Feast  of  the  Assumption. 
— Before  daybreak,  a gate  of  Pekin,  on  the  east,  was 
in  flames.  From  seven  till  nine  o’clock,  noise  of  can- 
non, volleys  and  firing  of  mitrailleuses  are  incessantly 
heard.  The  army  is  probably  making  an  assault. 
Numbers  of  European  soldiers  are  seen  in  the  place 
where  the  five  officers  were  yesterday. 

Until  nine  o’clock  in  the  evening  we  hoped  that 
they  would  come  to  deliver  us.  The  Blessed  Virgin, 
who  has  led  the  troops  into  Pekin  on  the  day  of  her 
glorious  Assumption,  will  send  them  to  us  to-morrow, 
please  God!  Four  hundred  pounds  of  food  are  left 
for  three  thousand  persons ! Providence  seems  to 
have  counted  the  grains  of  rice ; could  He  have 
counted  more  exactly  ? 

Thursday , August  16th.  — I had  just  celebrated 
Mass  at  six  o’clock,  and  was  making  my  act  of 
thanksgiving  under  a veranda,  when  I heard  severe 
firing  from  a large  band  approaching  from  the  south. 
About  half -past  seven  the  shots  came  perceptibly 
nearer,  and  before  eight  o’clock  were  heard  about 
three  hundred  yards  away,  behind  the  gate  of  the 
Yellow  City  called  Si-Hoa.  This  gate  had  been 
closed,  large  numbers  of  regular  soldiers  occupied  it, 
and  in  the  street  which  leads  from  this  gate  to  the 
Imperial  Palace,  several  strong  barricades  had  been 
built  of  sacks  of  rice  which  were  defended  by  at  least 


THE  VALLEY  OF  THE  SHADOW  OF  DEATH.  55 


fifteen  hundred  men  armed  with  repeaters,  not  count- 
ing the  Boxers  and  regulars  stationed  in  the  embat- 
tled houses  provided  with  embrasures. 

Our  people,  who  climbed  the  walls,  thought  that  they 
recognized  some  European  soldiers  stationed  behind 
the  gate  of  Si-Hoa;  others,  Chinese  soldiers  ; we  did 
not  know  whether  it  were  a last  attack  or  deliverance 
that  was  in  preparation.  At  all  events,  I sounded 
the  Casquette  du  Pere  Bugeaud  on  the  bugle  three 
times.  Ho  response,  no  hurrah,  came  back  from 
without;  but  from  within,  a rain  of  projectiles  poured 
down  upon  us.  A bomb  exploded  at  my  feet;  I had 
time  to  shelter  myself  back  of  a brick  column.  At 
the  end  of  a half  hour,  a bold  Christian,  who  climbed 
the  wall  of  the  Yellow  City,  came  ruuning  to  me  and 
said : 

' “ They  are  surely  Europeans;  I saw  an  officer  dressed 
in  white,  with  stripes.”  We  had  already  raised  a 
large  French  flag  on  top  of  the  church,  with  the  sig- 
nal, “We  ask  for  immediate  relief.”  The  director 
of  the  Seminary,  and  his  students  carried  another  new 
flag  two  hundred  yards  farther  north  and  repeated 
the  bugle-calls.  The  officer  seen  came  up  to  the  flag ; 
a ladder  was  passed  to  him,  and  he  pressed  the  hand 
of  my  coadjutor  who  had  gone  to  that  side.  It  was  a 
Japanese  captain.  He  asked,  “ Can  you  open  the  gate 
of  the  Yellow  City  ? ” 

It  was  impossible  considering  our  small  number. 

“Very  good,”  he  replied;  “I  shall  try  to  force  it.” 

And  he  went  down  on  the  other  side  of  the  wall. 


56 


THE  HEART  OF  PEKIN. 


At  this  moment  we  saw  a new  band  of  soldiers, 
dressed  in  blue,  quickly  approaching  with  cannon. 

“This  time,”  they  called  out  to  me,  “we  are  no 
longer  in  doubt ; they  are  French.”  They  ran  directly 
up  to  the  flag,  set  some  ladders  on  their  side,  and  we 
placed  others  on  our  side.  In  a few  minutes,  fifty 
of  Marty’s  company  with  their  commander  were 
among  us.  During  this  time  the  Japanese,  scaling 
the  wall  farther  south,  had  opened  a panel  of  the  gate  ; 
the  French  artillery,  stationed  opposite,  finished  the 
work,  and  despite  the  fire  of  several  thousand  shots 
to  the  minute,  the  barricades  were  attacked. 

The  marine  infantry  that  had  entered  our  lines  had 
time  to  cross  our  ground,  and  take  the  large  barricade 
in  the  rear  after  having  scaled  and  burned  the  embat- 
tled house,  and  met  their  defenders  at  the  point  of  the 
bayonet. 

The  battle  was  over.  More  than  eight  hundred 
dead  bodies  of  Boxers  or  Chinese  regulars  were  strewn 
on  the  ground.  We  had  cause  to  mourn  only  the  loss 
of  two  killed ; three  were  wounded,  among  them  Com- 
mander Marty. 

It  was  about  ten  o’clock.  The  French  Minister, 
Mr.  Pichon,  and  General  Frey  had  been  in  the  Pei- 
tang  for  a quarter  of  an  hour.  Needless  to  say  that 
mutual  greetings  and  congratulations  were  offered 
from  the  depths  of  our  hearts.  We  were  saved ! 

* A.  FAVIEB. 


Planjdf  the  New  Pei-Tang, 


PLAN  OF  THE  NEW  PEI-TANG. 


I.  BUILDINGS  OF  THE  MISSIONAKIES. 


1.  Cathedral  of  Pekin. 

2.  2'  Imperial  Pavilions. 

3.  Esplanade. 

4.  4'  4"  Gates  in  Wrought  Iron. 

5.  Entrance  Court. 

6.  Principal  Entrance. 

7.  Court  of  Honor. 

8.  St.  Joseph’s  Court. 

9.  Our  Lady’s  Court. 

10.  St.  Vincent’s  Court. 

11.  Seminary  Court. 

12.  Prep.  Seminary  Court. 

13.  Office  Court. 

14.  Vegetable  Garden. 

15.  Park. 

16.  Brothers’  Court. 

17.  Printing  Department. 

18.  Visitors’  Department. 

19.  Band  Stand. 

20.  Monument. 

21.  Kiosk. 

22.  AVells. 

a.  High  Altar  and  Sanctuary. 

b.  Altar  of  Blessed  Virgin. 

c.  Altar  of  St.  Joseph. 

d.  Altar  of  St.  Vincent. 

e.  Altar  of  B.  Perboyre. 

f.  Altar  of  St.  Michael. 

g.  Altar  of  B.  Odorick. 

h.  Altar  of  St.  Peter. 

i.  Altar  of  St.  Philomena. 


j.  Privileged  Altar  of  the  Pas- 
sion. 

A.  A',  A",  A"',  Missionaries’ 

Quarters. 

B.  Private  Chapel. 

C.  Bishop’s  Apartments  and 

Clock  Tower. 

D.  Drawing  Room. 

E.  Grand  Parlor. 

F.  Treasurer’s  Office. 

G.  Main  Library. 

H.  Refectory. 

I.  Chinese  Library. 

J.  Recreation  Room. 

K.  Store  House. 

L.  Museum. 

M.  Warerooms  of  Printing  De- 

partment. 

N.  Chinese  Warerooms. 

O.  Pharmacy. 

P.  Business  Offices. 

Q.  Brothers’  Workshops. 

R.  Kitchen. 

S.  Printing,  Binding,  and  Ma- 

chine Shops. 

T.  Visitors’  Quarters. 

U.  Servants’  Quarters. 

V.  Seminary  Dormitory  and  Class- 

room. 

X.  Seminary  Refectory. 

Y.  Seminary  Chapel. 


58 


PLAN  OF  THE  NEW  PE  I- TANG. 


59 


Z.  Class  Rooms  of  Prep.  Sem- 
inary. 

W.  Dormitories  of  Prep.  Semi- 
nary. 

-f-  Stables,  Sheds,  etc. 


The  line . . . shows  the 

area  occupied  by  the  old  Pei- 
Tang. 

R.  R/  Street  separating  buildings 
of  the  missionaries  from 
those  of  the  Sisters. 


II.  BUILDINGS  OF  THE  SISTERS. 


1.  Catechumen’s  and  Dispensary 

Court. 

2.  Sisters’  Court. 

3.  School  Court. 

4.  Orphanage  Court. 

5.  Service  Court. 

6.  Church  Yard 

7.  Court  of  the  Novitiate. 

A.  Church  of  the  Immaculate 

Conception. 

B.  Apartments  of  the  Superioress 

and  Novitiate. 

C.  Schools. 


D.  Orphanage. 

E.  Sisters’  Quarters. 

F.  Catechumen’s  Quarters. 

G.  Dispensary. 

H.  Infirmary  and  Store  House. 

I.  Sundry  Apartments. 

J.  Chapel  of  the  Children  of 

Mary. 

K.  Store  House. 

L.  Laundry,  Nursery,  etc. 

M.  Entrance. 

N.  Wells. 


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